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I ) 






But tt thftt imUnt, Etnnestine nttcred m. loud ■cream, lad duting between 
hi* loniihip and her lorcr, sha cried id frantic ucenti 



ERNNESTINE DE LACT; 



OR, 



THE ROBBER'S FOUNDLING. 



/ 



n 



AN OLD CNCLISH ROMANCE. 



BY THOMAS PREST. 



JfcMHOR OF "aN'JELINA," '* GALLANT TOM," ** THE DEATH ORASP/ 

•' EMILY FITZORMOND," ETC., ETC. 



" If tcenet of mitcrr can entcrtftin, 
Woe* I unfold— 01 woes % mighty trftbi ; 
Prepare to hear tf murder and of blood ! ' ' — Port. 



LONDON: 

PRINTED A>D PIBLISHKU BV E. LLOYD, 23], SHORKDITCH. 



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THE KEW Y01K 

PUBLIC Hi 'WHY 

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ERNNESTINE DE LACY; 



THE ROBBERS- FOUNDLING. 



Mote BntalT piMn the uem I— 
Yet, ben m* tbanght luu itUl the power 
l^kHp B| boeon varm."— BvaoN. 

Tms Acftn iria4 bairled i& boUow sua ; the tfanwler roUid In ImiBiIim 
fnii: the rtd UchlniBg gtared In Uw dark thH of bcMMt wd the nlii, k Sane 
Mnmla, dta a aiti opoa the earth.' The nldaI|M boor bad lug ilaee paaiad. 



AeoMpa^Ml bj hk HdHihl lerTaiit, H«>, a raUauB wm m tUa draadfal 
hMrdMaKthMBihaa a aleailw wood, wbeae doadf dmered tnea readered U 
*MMlBpaMlnHe.aadAetUAlT(preadMiage aafb^mOtlafiniamVt 



2 SKNNE8TINS OB LACT ; OBy 

Ib6 Bght of iMtfCB, iltboigh h cooM Bot now Iraep Ml tbe foiT of ^ 
or reiisc Iba iMwy alMwer of rtfi wltfck foittd Hi WBf teoogh ^ 
l«v«eiitlioiiitertwiDiDfbnuiclies,iBd dreadied ibe tnvdlen to the tfkin. 

The geoUOBtti wit a taU* powerftd* ftoo-lookiof mao, and hit coaDteoaoop 
i^t ha?e been oontidered handiome, ikit It not for a eertala cgprittlin of 
haughtloest uid ttemnctt wfakh gave a fo iMd dhn catt to hit fa H uiu , and tiio 
contracflon olMt lt»g, Hgk hiwot» wMcfc Igfietwi the b eiii Ktr fH^ theldoa 
tfial malevoleBoe, revenge, and treachery, hdd a predominant tway over hit mind. 
Hit GompleslOD wat pale ; and It reqrfitd no very keen pereeptlon to diteover 
tha« bit fareart wu te aliode of eoMt tftafM wlih odMT patitoa^ oafldent to 
eadtehUnto anydeedof detperatioo. mm aid aiw^ m ilii Hgiuiilij daitiid 
aeroti hb dM, tliere wit a nrfle of eonlevpl «pea 11, vrMA wat partfenMy ic- 
paUve^ and he teeoMd to nark the- log^ of the toMpoM wMli the 



**Bagef »ye faiioat clfltiiH,'" he wWiiinlaid, whaedfalof Jbepwatfadtyof 
hit domettic; ^eihaott yoar wMhoaae;— I arfadyeMC Yecaanotefaal 
theteaipett ofay tool t Howl yowlodi I— war ye tt— deri» awn dtafaalitf than 
the y dit aod ciifei of a fHett of wolnt Ip-iflk on yo loifted Ugfacninti !-deto«M| 
ye oi ei w h e l a d ng taneatil— I nwck, 1 da^ year HaMtt wntii; mf heart ia 
■daaiiat, aadiqrarfndoallDaaof daaieft Bh i ri l i v t wg a i i ftle hath ywept away 
every tentiawnt of fedlaglt onoeoMMiMd I tieadwry hath iMde to torpid. I 
baf»nofecili«now^l iavn noewa^^I l Mwa dt Ma wtththewodd, and mind not 
howtoonlaarid-olit. Bat, no ^ jwiBlaaBBlhtilhi tat w^d^wBch wakM 
aweBngioltfe! tfaatthonghHrtoaf— ee! YatiWigeaaeei notonthoaewho 

baoe atilt tt d to ptoadtr aw of ay p w p m yt ^ *>>•> " t ■ "—' fa* -* Nr f t^ 
M{y aodaadWhtoaiaB, bnlapanhlMwholatvadandaMrtofwyhtan{ he 

who hat robbed me of that wlkiitty tool van pibedtfianaU the rkhet tho 

worMconId bettow. It It fm that altae I with not yet to die ■ the ttoar tp 

come— it thai! come V* 

•« n ft a pity we kfl the Ian at whkb we ttopped in the evtniag» fliy lonV** tiOd 
Hago, rtflng np to hit aMrttf, and fw tinhn to intmnpt him In hit B Md iiati on t t 
««the8kythen looked lowry, and I thoaght we theold bawo^ioogh idghtofit. 
By the matt, an* we are In a pretty tltoaHon ; benigbted in this ditmal wood, 
where, donbtlett, gentlemen of no veiy rcpatMe detcription til^ up their abode, 
and may ponnce open nt with a tapper of cold kted before we are aware of them ; 
and with not the katt dpwoffchooieortheittrolaBy dai t rip tit n /' 

«* My fidthfnl HUgo,^ add Wt matter, t ot uhi t fthudnf the ntnal ttemnem of 
lOtlookt at bespoke;— '« my fahhfol Hago, It vim IMly4«'d^to pertlttin fol» 
lowlag the broken fortanet of thy matter, and IhM eapote thyself to all the 
that may attend Mm. Then knowest fOUwcathatlamnowaoainad 
dhBow not whMMr I in bonnd, or upon vHmt pmtote I am gohifs 
pitbtetnMitheeba*, aad take with thee the gratitnde of one whom paltry iMa 
now oaly «tdttgnitbct from the iiowly station iu which thoa movesa.** 

«« Hater, my lotd*" eaalakaed Hago, emphatically; <' tbon hast beena kin# 
10 me ; I hate llied with thee fratm cfaildhood i my fother,attd BTf foAv'a 

grewfr^ hi the scffkeot tly lamiJy, and never, never, while I baveflftp 

wfiUdeteHthee.** 



• • • • 

• • • •• 

• • • • • 

• • • 



• 



• 



iflB bobbbmP wmmmuMfm* S 



* « Ooii, MIM Mmt,*' 4at«liii« ito«ilMf» M k« imMi il»e tad of 1^^ 
i»ii1ljr» aa< named bmIi OMfad if UtflMUUMri «<heU«i«i m thoawUt^ 

jiliyji fd iqpiiif i iwimfc, nlMKdalaoiipaiiMfythilK 

nwdHovR^i^rMlMitl 11whMHl<fpwi»di»iifid of that which brUni 

i» ii bm »«■» after dUf and, fli^ hMf «Mh iMt tbay that oaft wJM 

•diglM'teihe eeieMNlMeimid«fpapa«d nai^p u^koomttt^ 

I'lrtetM' pffdecrt hinii 




dd lie imMUMt^mkm if Ambm ftMie.ia dep^ mmmim diie may once 



igjiedlwieii imiii ealke^pal«lM»limahadidlea» Waea nMthcr hemp 
■Ck MB^B^mVku, kd dtoeh hl»ylNi»alli»— fipwa i jiad the ■«»—*. 

UMmai carpee^ Md If Ma elleim il»bodpad Uelwee, wh^.ihe elaeu^ 

Mthadetelffied. 

<«AMrMa«rr' aaid hto aMem^4ieii»elPifedaNeihediaagB«dlo^alhia 

iiMl^ « Me, iWa la lie aaiHiii tkeK MelMl iBf lettaiikif the Car- 

af flia alandeaad af aMdUMlt IhoaMlipeMMd aifao^yrcndiriaf 

r 

Hteiaodleraeaeeai€fHP»laenieailil|iiiBHiladiBflthcaadtpectadt^ 
iwuuatto f hit|aJadhaiaa|haaaca aaaiapcoceededai weUaahawaeahl^ 
M^mffklnkMi kam wt i^ m^^mmi^kMam f tti k t Ql ihaiNa4»aBdwMa^, 
^MMtaoiMtfiMMMaaMehdUkBk^ Th>aiana aliaelelad aoaa aCi» 

'^MT) <ir BgH aia g »» UB| ii ii M iii l ii » ihai|»i «i*iha,iiM WBN4tal«vB 
^fliftMWMieBiflyidliii miaini^ e>i aal| eiUltii ImUUkjmmtmfm^^^^ 
f aad hoifUy ladevMl^p. 

I Vie trafrilergpiirredott hie hofee^aadeadeavaand la had oat apathy bat all 
ftnca. If tfierelad tmr lean oaa, were aattfdy oblJtcfalial, Shortly afterw«rdi^ 
* howerer, he thoagfat ha hehald» tarpi^daik ol^ beface hi», wUcb fUnck hSae 



ae bdog a baHdtef af a n aia deie ri f He a . Caaipleteip ciAaHtad with Mgatj W 



4 BKNlfWnniVB BB LAW.; 0% 

orgedoD Mi tired ittBd, bdpipg Mi khu wwild bt reiUicd, and thai lie arfifci »e 
able to obtilD itHaad ibdttr tatmhm hmn^ 

He had ttot proMsted liwiilica iM^btMd « lifhc iliaMii^ 
from hUo, and wUdi appeared lolMaefhMi aaMCBiflti Im» HmmCim, UH om^ 
tain that Ms firfteo^jeetarei were tnia. Tlie Hgtrt» h oiwf er^ feiy ahortjy diaap* 
peared; bat the cnweller panned bit way lo tbe dkecUoo ia wbieb be badaeea 
it, aadioon aftwwM d i t wi p pt d at — aaaieai loaUag caatk, aarpoaadad wiUi a 
ipoat, aad wMch bad» deabdeti^ fcra»ly bewi Biariy iaipagnibia ; bnt.^ 
nadeiad ia i ag e a wt ii lliaiiy p la w a t aMwiaf waacptifaljIanduiB^aiidlhe 
other part couriiuabl f di l i pld i t i d . Hw da M t b rt d p waadawai aad in aU other 
retpeeti it bid the appeaiaaoe of Ml baiag ialMbiladf pet wa« tb« traveller pOAr 
fidaat tbatlbe Mgbl be bad abaanadbadfiMaaded iMii 0Mi»f iu caieneots. , 

•* Perhaps robbers iMfe imidt it their^mreaty" be rdkotedt << fiur who eise 
woidd Mft or IdMiig ap iMr rariiBMe te apcb « gIsMBy, niiooai place? Bat,' 
DO Biatler,'' be*addad } "I baaa n a th i nj that I care abol loiin$^Mo» not eren 

flifiag tb» eqpTCSsedbiaiseU;bft Hed bis horse to * tic(v«o^ ci:osBed the 
drawbildge. He waslooliiwd so tod sb» caitk'jsta staadipg.wjd^ ppco»aad 
ttere was u o tbi a g w h aasias toobstrasiidi Siirapaa. BecUesaofda^ft.hedid 
potberitateassaaeBlybaa sata i i d the sileas <aait^art4pbb^<yosaqias.we|ias 
hewasdUe, Us iMloAea ceaiiag Im. ooatart wUb the Jtngaseals of hrokcp stone 
that bad idleiilkMi the b«Udfai«; As lia ad i— o ad> a^d i»»liig ffi.t9war» the 
casement, be oaee mow pescsiiad the Ugbt, tad w»s.>aw»lhsic jjin^ppiiliie that 
his sanoises as lo tfie csatle baiag Jabab H ed were c asp aPli.Jie tbaidore iiasleDed 
to the door be saw opposite 10 Mm, which immadiajriy iWded to iOs toiich»aad 
he entered the oaildiBff. Tbeiiwi i— aetii disntf y as be did so, and tbe bat 
fitted past bhB,as<boagbwasriaghiaiiwaithepiaceasao iniroder upon thdr 
t e riiUw Ie s . Bat, aeibiat^MBSsd, Jm snaablad his way aloag, for it was pitdi 
dsit, and tfietswrwasee w s r s d , Hhe She ea>a »far d a with hiokea fragments of 
masonry. Once he pansed, as he thoaght he beaid n dittapt saand as of toad 
laugbtert bin aU being i^ Im oaee omti «nped hb way, until his band caaM in 
contact with Iba imadiioC ndaar, which was also i^v and palttng it open, be 
ftrand hianeif«tlbefoalol»fightoialaiiB. lliase he aacsoded, and when bn 
had arrtfed at the top, he once asoie heard the ssanili thai had bajwefihtntcdoa 
his ears, and which he was now certain was load iaaghlerfai the foiees of seteral 
men, and wUcb screagthenad Us tal Idea, naMir, that te old castle was the 
baant OTfoMMta* 

Still, nothiag darned, he hastened akwg n grikry to which the stairs had coa- 
docted Mm, ana be stopped at n daot «t the teihsr end, from the interttioes of 
whicfa n giarteg lighl streamed, aad frMt the laomlawUchU opened hebad no 
doabt the soands pwoacdad wUtii be had heasd. TMs sapposiHon was speedilf 
confirmed, for Jast as the traveller arrlfod at the doer, ha heard the fUfoWiaff 
choms snag, appaimrtl^ wUh asMh ^ee, by n amnber of foices :— 



Roand, amrrily posh the flash, 

Bscchos, agod is, all own divine: 
Drinic, drink, we in pleasure will bask. 

The care of the robber's eTcr di aw aid in wiaet 






•• 



tBR ftdUIBBi' FOUNMknffe 



Crusty old foolt to our Jo^ mmrbtoM^ 

Hci« we'fc • world ud • mloe of our own ! 

CiioBtJ8»— Then rottiidf die 

' Hie Tokcs oeiiedf and in » wmdciiI •AtruMdi » ai «mm oid«r wfckhapptawd 
M-tefhw^yowoltlMtidrtfiMAityeli tte imirilecooaldMlo^ 
ft%itedMM«ifOfMll«Mlffioiii,aBdMM»]ieliadtiM lo cadeavoor to 
adrtwi Mamif Oi i i u l m i laii u^ If l a i h li ad bewi Ma with. Hie door wai throwa 
JmOL on MrMngier, iad iin a i aBi M ai ta a — aitfief of faiaaiine^oflfciag maa^att 
wen annedy^ tad wbo gaied apes tka it radar witii tlM smmi laaxpiettiUe 
astonlAment. 

Ah!Yipf! a apy r J ia aUd afvandfoleM; and the acitt iaataot a doaen 
iwomt were pouneo at bmi iwcatCy ana ne wm coaipieKty svNflaatiia 

** Hold!'* eriada taU araKviar maa (wiko appealed to be tlie eaptaiaof the 
'^Dg), and dartiag froai the head of the table at whkh they liad-heea caroaaiags 
^loOttlBtfMyeto Hdl Mk and hana Urn aoii H it oDwaidljr to auirderoae 
ibalb1aeMhtODd»add beiii«iieareeaitidBlhaftlMle«lMitfetBi|wethiai tobe. 
If he bra fp7» heiHIl haie eofay dMrif Ibr hia toMrilf S" 

td a aioaKat the raibera tewmed ihalr awwi da ta their urabbaf rtn, aad feU baA 
at difefrflytahi'a i ii iaa iaa di the kita^ a ft er i ying aattm laait apa a tha tmeiieft 
whiA he letawed IHth ^ m \ ili w aa ii , §M hi a nn ai a M a di ag toae ;— 

" Owu e i^QrwaRlf dtiadger ? 

Tlietfafdiar eooBy tbi de d hli anaa, and walkhig ap lo withia a few iiacat of 
the dptttto, eoaAooled hiailvMh a bald«Bd atMd^ leak. 

^ Blcthlaka than dMI cany a pitllf braaaa feot^ ywagowH" iaid the captaia ; 
** a fftyhwwnftpet,ewiidgrhig the pirila»ailiaaila»thwi art placed iiL" 

•* I attd perli hate btcaiaii fbaiilarr repMad the nmHai^ aaady ; ** I kaow aot 
l^hy Ilhoald llBar 10 aMet H harei" 
' «• Raaph r Add the robber, avIiMtIf MlariAad ai ihe eaohwM of the ia- , 

of hkdeBMBMar»wcre saMem ta eiaata adariaatiMii— ^ whob aad what art 
am?'* 

•* A nuui, as ttoB aee'st,'* WM thaaaaww* 

<• Wbat ^roogbl«Me Mlbar r* 

*' I was benighted la the wood, aad saaghl rest and ahettart" answered the 
sfiwiger. 

''And knewyenol«AtlMaeaBllewaB«berBtrMl«f Bteck Rathvea aad his 
brare and detptrate assoclatca r^ 

<« I did not ; and if I bad, I shaald Bol have hsaltalad to eater it. Just the saaM." 

« Why?** 

** Becaose I have no^iag ta lose bat aiy lifs^ aad of thai 1 aai weary, bat for 
one thing." 

«< And what Is thai ?** 

** The liope of vengeance against mine enemies." 

*■ Thy dress is rlcb, thy bearing noble— art thoo not a geatlemaa?** 



BANIfMl'INE IS Ir&tnt; 0% 



•Twu whaltbefVMli ciHf id, adMt tee ^oe; M ftMae anil baiftt 
pitted compny fof cfv* 

Toe op t iw i ^yvB wC iMMuif^ifk Sftv flpfiMM^MHPM'lbifttafotc^ ssA 
■w luvuui iMHOT w H^ *F" m w NMBvr wm iw^i^or mpm^y voi vc 

MNUIUHMNi* )} 

'*^ Tbov 80HMit td sp6ik wWi tht cmmv of Inniy otavfcd the fBtVMf {«■• 
••miiteajilBiii?'* 

<' HM tftf pM% UMe,** iiM«ieeipMto^^lMP»lttoM) 

WMi* 1 ^ vVWW IWIH WC^H^BW WI^V J^^Vi^PW WHHV MiyV^V Wi^W^ WM» wi^H M^V C^WMMHSV 

«poatlMW9rld,«idJ«liiii fertw* and jofU a «et of Mtoira it tere It tii at- 
iiteiice?" 

Thi now Dti pOMid ood iiimw i t lii tmortid Hm apMMMt ooiMd tea, 
tod then torifaif 10 te cipliday nid|*>* 

««Ia«it hOfoHoMlo i«iMlo«thfrpi«MHiittoflhloO| U koOi Uteo me bf 



•^TM te fliDniaar«t wm glio thotb*' iiM tfwe^lria I «« totteMiiherthai 
Uliie hat ipokeo te orMhk tlopwno»f»hohyoMliet^wdBaiooif MtmH t 
if eter sefllnvd to teave it aMvo, and haa no utei iHwindiw hot la Join nti or to 
pariA thn«^ hit and oNadMBMnt la ivtai caatlaf prieeta and idbtt eril JMoeily. 
It if oar role, aad lae oafer 00 ny aaooaat depart iram It-'Aaa Mmeelivcary ; 
refreeb thytdf. aad arheo teo hait dooo» Uhle ivOl oendoel thea to a tewhar» 
wiiero thott aukjfeit lepoee conftMlably ai Ofer than Odia ia lUaa own caeile/' 

Hoftag Ihas fpahen, Rottivao MOtloMd te atnaaer ao be tailed, who readily 
cottpBed, alter hating tot l a J ma wd I hi w hi w ha hod IrtI hie harw, which waa 
iMMdtatiiytahanpaeaeefhMo& Beiwotho UiiiJIif had jahhid hb awa^ <io 
captain and awet of thogMymhod, H ai h% ate arty hi te eu aipaa y of Ukic 
and aNir othtti* When ho had coododed hta npaatf ^m hMlr aMid hiai whether 
ho wUwd to retire ? and heiina laaBed in iha 

>tho MMterlioiiaii 



Uai tha lan^^ and pointh^to a bed hi one earner of the noait departadf after 
faoHog drat tccnfed tlie door OB thoooMtde^ hy hNky ballf iBd hai% 

ThonMMhiadiwnodiandotaneiriyhaor ilie maaiJai hiaadhln 
onad» and UMb mpiaiiii aa iwdaat Mh ta Ao ipadnni i|«HMirt biiaw, 
holMMid tecaptidnand thermof tegaaf OMHablad telbiHHroft 
Iwaiaf maHaoed ItetoteeMof tebooidy whaNanBwaMrtegf^fifaalwoa 



<< teanavf hiBl *aiiatetid on tha pnparitte I aada than hwt Bi|ht ?" 
*' I ha»e»" lepBad te Ufoller, lecenlMliy. 

<' I ana mhMd aMn/' aneweved the atraBfir ; **tbe 

have done with endb other, and -—'* 

<< Than doel eoMent to join 0% thn B"* 
««Ido." 



. •< Aa4 «rt rady to tdw the wHk we ahrms ■imiitof f hfi fldlhitt t» the 
cftptiUB and hit oomradcs ?" denamled RathveD. 

'M Mmtdf^" rafOM thtotlMr* 

Ift«BlMitttlMWMMrroMiiHl^llMfMi» uii belsg flowMtftd It kMtIt 
Itef ooflied thdr tworii o?ar hb hetd, wMle a goMeC, contaiiitag • wi Iwlrkg 
lifiidy WM placed in his handi and Rathfen io a iond and Mkm iroi«f, ««• 



*<Titt m y iaim alw»alftddliyte jnaok RaHifai tM hkcaaHriMf to^aep 
liithhAf liMnifateiy c M M§eac y,wrta<hadaiifc} m perfom Hw oMmMadB of 
the«Hi^ k» it ovflB tha BORlcr of tUte owo <Mber» thf aMliHr» or aay of Ikf 
If Ittltai ^ id oa the peril of thdr moti deadly fangwpea ?** 

*< I tiiaar/'MaveredtlM ttnmgery la a firm folee. 

••Thy naaM?* 

** Thtt4»i with ti iwep eecrel ;— 'thoo wayett ctfl me, how ftiu » O w wo d, Mr 

**Bf$%mih^ mUL^aOnm. << Oomcadet, aU hail to onr new hrothir« Otmead; 

^ AH Mi Io ow aeir hfolher» Otmantf , #ih« ^MNftff / " ahook tht fMdted foef, 
and the r^hom WMnttned tinr {nttenpg weapoat aboto hit head* 



cHAinrER II. 

«' In troth the wat a lovely bahe. 
The ataaqi ef loMiane opoa 
Her ialMit h«ew/'-*TRi Osnuii. 



fSas Maoy yean the ooiwty of Northmabailaad had heen lafnled witlii 
haodi of rohhen, who hade dcdaoco to the laiTb aad li thalf laarliiiB «Mnt» aad 



fwltwi ao ■ii l i n m l a a iric la the mJmhi of the laiiiMtaDta Air ariJet a r oaa d !•• 
■imenwiB were loe oepfoawtoDt taey oommiwtui aMi vmv ctimet oi DNOflnea 
oetted m fiedlDg o f aid tei t allmraDr a»d eat1t>mKioo> 

Of an theto mmfaadere, aoao hare a attoa datpewna rhtwrtiff than JBMI 
X9tt9ttig ft MHBO wUth ho had aB^tdrad Amm tlM daifcsmo of Ma eompltBAaBy 
aadalw^fo appearing in a tahie drett, with a latye biKk tktwh haC, and^waviof 
fmihutthlf» apon MathuaHen. 

TUtmOywUhhlelBfociottaaf, had taken pmimlia el AtwynOattte^mrt 
dededevMroowartomaholdmahaBiiaaii.- fitr amnvvmnt hehadonnladona 
trtnmphant career of fffiany»wheo he woaai length tiain In a d ttpt ia te can llet 
with tho retMtoere of a nehleman, on wheat ho had «ida a»«naok^ and to waa 
hoped, thmlhe 9Mg hdo^ that deprived of their leader, woold have ditpcrted ; 
hat this hope was aeon fonnd to he Mkeiowt ho wat tnceaeded hy a not h e r 
eqnaUy as daring, although hit neCuiont dcadt were not aooompHikd with tfiat 
degree of la w igt cm e k y whkii had ihaw e fit e d IhoMtlaooof Ut picdecettor. 



8 SRNNB8TINB DB hikCY ; OB, 

This WM DO otber than tk» omb w« hife tntndnccA to the reador InlheifOTSoas 

Many good traiti, it wbi ftated» acooMpaoM tbe robber chief In liit fiiiity 
pcacticet; lnlamiBW«beBefcrc90««itiidnaider9batwhei&ltwMiui«v^^ 
for the aceon pH i bM e nf at bii^withgi, tad to tbe poor and the fldr <e«, lic.»tir»ys 
profod a friend. 

One nighty as Otmond and a portion of hie gang wat retnming ftom one ^ hie 
lawloM ezpcdItioaSf when they hnd vcacbed that part of the wood near whic|i the 
casde of Alwjn ttood, he obeerted a boadle Ijlog in his path» and, picking It iip» 
he unfolded tbe mantle in which it was enveloped, and, to his otter nstonlsl^n^t, 
behdd one of the sweolest finuale inCuits his eyes had efer rested on. 

" By the mass an* we have fonnd a prise. Captain," exdaimed Arnold, tbe.llea- 
teoant of Osmond, as he Icnelt down and gased in the little sleeping innocent's 
face, '* an infant, and a beanteoos one too ; poor brat, thoa hast fiOlen from bad 
liands into worse 1 am fearful." 

** How so?" answered Osmond, whose heart, as we have bcfbre nieaiioned 
was susceptible to some of the gentler fe^ngsof natnre, and who oonld 3ot, as 
he gazed upon the nnooosdona babe, help admiring its beaaj^ ;— <* thinkest thou 
I would barm this iittle loooccnS? No ! A mnrrian light opon he who could ; 
Osmond, tbe robber chief, will prove that (Heod to it which its unnataral parents 
have not. I will take care of it." 

As lie spoke he took the infisnt in liis arms, who awoke, and flsdog Its bright 
blue eyes upon the glittering mail which Osmond wore, smiled, as If in appro, 
bation of its fittnre protector. 

** In truth it Is a lair babe," observed the robber, **and hard and inhnman most 
be the parent's heart who coaid abandon thee. The beast of the forest protect 
their youig, but thy parents, poor Uttle one, have left thee to the mercy of the 
world ; to perish,— for what other fSste eonld they eipeet would attend thee ? It 
is virell attbivl too— this is no beggar's brat. Ah ! what is this ? A purse, well 
laden too, and with good gold pieces; here is a letter also; this perhaps may 
throw some Kght upon the boslaoss." 

Osmond hastily broke open the seal* and as wall as tbe light of the moon woohl 
allow him, perused the cootents, wUle bin dark and a«vage*looking as wciatei 
watched him with astonisbment, as they perceived the evotloo he evinced, whila 
he read the letter. One mooMnl he beGame ghastly pale, and then hb cbeeka 
wouM beoooM tahed, and he walked baak>wirds ipd forwands tdtb extreme 
agtetfou. Asecond and a thkrd time Im perascd the letter,and his i^^tathm 

«'Canitb6po8rible>"he^|acolifted, afternpMMi-^'aBithb Infont whkb 
has so miracnloasly ftdlen Into my bands, la ' Oh, rtfiSia t revenge l Now, 

conldl ^" and he looked teoetoisiyat thalntat ha hid bntai^noleortwo 

before caresseds " but no! It •ball not be sot I wtt aMdw thU dOld the 
Inatrument of vengeance that sfaaUbripg misery npon the heads of mtoe enemies. 
Oh, Marian ; what a hell ol torment would tfiy mfaid be. If thOB didst know hrto 
whoee power thy chihi had foUea. TOm care of it, Anold, and on with thee 
to our retreat." 

«'Bttt what are we to do with Cbt bitr?" demanded the lattery "a pretty 



tUnf fonootb, uid t«t flMng taphtftteM for » robber to turn bum in hi* 
IdiDrc honri." 

" Hold Ih} peace, Arnold," wld Iba cspuln, " ud do injr btddtoff. Old Bea- 
trice no atteod to It, and If not, I cmi Kwn nake MMne aitaogementi aboal the 



Araold uid DO more, bat tbliUog the mantle iwidd the child, carried it with 
nitcb care, proceedloi by the Me of OioiDDd, and foUomd by llw othen, who 
wade «>rioni lenMriii apon the ilDgalarlt j of tbe e>eniag^ adratare, and fiinn- 
iBg a Tarietj ol coiijectarti Dp»n ibe eoftdaci of their capl^, and die agitaUon be 
baderiocedoa peiuln|the letter. 

II waa Dear the ntdaight hoar, and tbe gaerti Ind )nit deputed tron tbe mug 
hoateltie of Heater Robert CteafliaM, Iha prafrieior ol " Tlie Fltvon," wfaleb 
atood at tbe entrance to a wood, and wn UMh f req ueat ed hj tbe Inbabitaaia of 
tte BdgbboDitng town. Wa ta; thai Ae fMali bad departed, and le Judge (rgn 
tbe A«|dar ol enpir bomt, ptteban, aad lagona, Matter HnbSrt bad bad a oerj 



eoadarire, woiU bare led aa obasrcr to Hm nffoMm, thai be had nade hia- 
••If pMlcellr i«ieeable ««d aodabln with Ui |aetta t which he wa* accwtoned 
to do, M Ua «U*, who h^ aenr known hint to ictlra to reat mMt for one olght 
h tbe week lor tbe latt twenty pan, CMld fallj tctAtj. Matter Hnbert was, 
perbapa, a Iktle too prone to doiaiaMplaJaadce to tbe }nice of tbcfiape; bnl 
No. 2. 



M> MwiwiT^ai m^^^ttt^ 



OftMif^ceof«hi^aiipifs|^#fa|M«l9l«|||dtfsa^ |l#i|{|iFerj 



ja4»Mdd«ftf«iMlb««i»l«|lhiefHl|d<iirU»l»f|llRt«M. Ht^is- 
Mbiii far IMI iM iMilbM tiiilere^* Ml^ kl» sboald §Mif his fiirorite 

^Hmf^akm iM Mm ^ IM iMltfqr W4 d«Nifbei7 pf Uf imidacts ber re* 
mvmammtM Vit^tm ^ km ^9»^ m9U h^ H/m, w4 l«F MippieMs only 
■•fiVtJHVit'orrMi^. 

«*Pll«iir tti^ tl^ee, JHiibfrt/' nid M«»l« w^fhmf^* mmf» W' tho^ gcftt 
VWitefiiyiiys l^reMiMtli#iib«e«a|tlieflwkd9MpMpo'i9M»ni»andDothiiig, 
. itieemi, wUl pemnde tbee to lent it wfatle there is a drop In the cellar." 

««T>p§ lai^ iFiif^ )»y tl)^ WW/' retwned IM^^ Ulocuphii^ fs^ taJrfBf » 

. aivig nl the end of etery half doicn words ; ** tho« sajest tme, Mwa^ I if)U 

Mf^AeieafMliMAIeiHli AP4 wbm9iK^ a better one than the 4isl( haa 

^f^iffi^^, Qp%thwp9^y\tcdp9Mkt^mtt9 PI 91^0^01^ 

it Is aseless to attempt to persuade bm ; so pot another log on the fat, and clffpe 
K^ t^ i^bpttersy Ihr it is A roaib oigh^ t^i the wind blows keenlj.'.' 
. ji» ffiiht ari^ ifideid teaipesipons^ pod the rain raiU^ yioilently againpi He 
c xwni en ts^ it wat t^ch a pigbjt when t|^e br^ht blarinf Hre appears to b»^e n 
4oi b i f r n i nf f r v nnd Maitpr Anberi ae^med lo think so» ai94 H wai a $naj rp- 
ffeshing sight to see his jolly, rmblcapd coontenan/ee gUttedof lik^ a new copper 
wanning paotln the reflection of the Are which bomt briskly on the hear^. 
FMim i# bcr pmoafipnp vei» waiyiUibto, Mwpf w»p aboni to retire to her 
r^ iriMa ^m^ HQIcMl wd abmaefi to bw » load kao^liv M t^e 



^ MMTtM^ §mkm \ ^m ope Inopka r* juid Maud« '' wbp eiMt U be 

Aft tk^juiMAonahle Immu* ?" 

* ^■'Moitfldbk.inmsaefc.nhtbebaaloraiditek, 
MMemik. Mara jMk, laa^M ddak titt ste btfalt j"' 

sang Hubert, who had not beard the knoddng. 

<<More sack; thou drunken idiot,** said Maud, passionatdy* ''WW notU^g 
bring thee to thy senses f Some one koo^, I tdl thcei and there thoa siiteM, 
(MHI takest no more notice than— there again !** 



ifUfg AcHhiBM^ MtMBfbtff^. HI 



■^ fty tffth jttrtrtt iit Vighl, >lliiiar^*i> <it«rt, tl < | i m| ^l»<*iiiM^ 

gabAHNfe wfor 'M' iikvuraiv* V^ I vllpp6ft'4t ll WWAMf 'MR^nMI'vNBw* 

««More Ukely it is that terrible fdlow Oimoid, w mim of Vk gaDlfir 
■MM, « itai «i»iliii)Si«lM tte«(^ <Mjrl<^ 

klMft te MeM JBilbe iiMr I* 

Once more wa»ih|iiui«c|aiir<iwd^ and Ifam Hn ifote ^ tfee nm IWMaC 
ttm to adait trim inwa Ibe kiclwie»cy olthe ■ iw ilii i 

•i( Aye, tie/' t^ld Hjih«n, aiiMdi ^ t»^ oot ivFtteitt I «M l«M JtM UtaKf 
of pottlBgafewqueiidoDstotlMeint. WhoavtHMWi?" 

«I aa »trfeicU«, awl hare wilkod iv liMe aha mmHUi ^imw^vid 
wearf,** wai the aMver, «* and have ok wiMi lae Hial m^fOnBikfi n^Mil «(» 
mndatteation ; pr'ytheeadmU oie»l bav» the «»>aae to itaMMgrale yoy ^i nd t e w/ ' 

<« 6b, as for that matter," repHed Hahert, m nt eaa talk ahont tMiiiftmwdi. 
* Bat art thoa sore thon art not deoelfiog me ?" 

«« Invear I am not/^ au«citd the a^a," fortha U^of beare* ih aot heap 
sa ttaadlai here any loogeci for I am ahreadf drai<iwd lo the ihl* a^d peri«ha^ 
withcokL" 

" WeU, wril, tanrtiU I nboU ihe«Mir,"a^ iMeil. '' I wtt e^an nMMiirt to 
aiadlthea." 

*«« Oh. DO, BO, not for Iba woridr cried Bland, with aloak of ftirror, fod nh^ 
anffered ber fears for a moment to ofereome her natural kindness of heiart. 

^Nonsense, Ma|id»'' ohscnred bar h|isbaad» tf I <W osctrti that Fa hP«« 
aolliiBg to fear ; and besides, ibis to m^ « night fit for a di« tp be on| io.'* 

mUk that, bnmmiug bis fiifonrita song, th^ bunh« pf ifW<* W« b^TC V«««* 
ke mi&stened the bolts, and ^ng $bf Iwp In fOs ^^^^ pmf^ ^ ^^* 
narrowly scmtiniring the person of the applijc^ 1flthoi(|* 

The man seemed to be wry mfw* Wgped. »iMl w^ enf^fl^ |o » Iqof #A^ 

jsantte, fokted In part qC which be carried lomeiblflg w?* iw<^ ^«^ S* Iff • 
taU man, of comai»o4lng ftgaw v^^ bifl<MfWc cojintepance, qn pi^ tbe li^ 
of care and sorrow were siropgly risll^le. __^_ 

i. Unbert being satis^j ^mit^d blip, ^(1 the stnw«er, with n^f «*PWf^« 
^ thanks, took f seat In ^b^ cbimngr cc^er opposilbf tf f}?b^ wd ^^^ 
hk mantle, the worthy host of the «' ?iagon,'* and his wife;, were eom»^f\ 
ttNUiderstnick tp behold tl^ be canlci} In %\s arms a lorel^ fciw*« cbiW, af- 
fatcndy not more than ei|^teea m^mths old. ^^o stretched, fffth its Utile Uosba 
in apparent enjoyaMnt, as It felt the genial warmth of the fire. 

" What a little beai)^ !" eiclaiv«4 ^^ w^W ft^. W W"! * ^pnlriied, 
iisaliegased npon tJm Iftiarestlog coaf^fcnai^ce of the }n|fnti ''ai^jobepatom 
sight as tbiik» o^i^ to all 0^ iocie^jeqcy of Ujc if e%fber S" 

"I see ye are sarprised^my frieni||,': v>oth the s^anip, as be^obfcnred *c 
of cariority with which Hubert an^ bis wife were eyelnj him, "and I do 



tMfcl toroo fllttWMmftyl^f r* ^^® ^ *^^ '^''^ ^ IP^ 9^ ^^ de«tloalioii« 
«iid wlieie I ciB,p)«oi tbelnfiuit in W^*9 ^^ ^ ,eii«mic9. You leehow 
c9riiauttdla«»«Bdl|h«r«foretegof ^ to grant me aihciter for mypelf and 
Bf toidtr eharge mtil the momkig, and I will freely pay yon what yQV n^^ 
demand*" 

" At for that palter^ maner/' rallied Hnhcirt, who was now gettiai^qi^ 
•ohari^aim '*4hott4Mt weloqiae lo all theaopommodatlon I cao ^(e thee» wldch 
kthH vwm to'^MeiiWiUi tha mainiiii^ liw my bedii.ariall<WPrtc4*.^.|^ti^. 
domaiidtakaaflupofeadiortwoWittlM|-*and,Iai^ 4^«a» «ft tbee^aMMK 
i^, flid^vam ii#Mr thia poor iotat, who« doiihtiMli la hftHor.*' 

The stranger again expressed his thanks to Habert and his wlfe» and she went 
itadlly 10 perform her husband's bidding, and Idssiag the ^nfiuit^ declare^.'' it was 
one of the sweetest little chenibs she had e^fr seen/' 

The stranger seaascd to be labonrlng nnder some beary mental afflic^9^ ancT 
frequently sighed deeply* and corered his face with his mantle, m^ he wae^ 
cndeavoaring to conceal his emotion from observation. He did not i^ppou*, to be 
disposed to talk, and as it was now fery late, Hubert and Maod^r^^red tq 
retire to their chamber. 

^ But,** said the kind-hearted hostess, <' the chUd, sn^ely than w'4t not leare 

her here?— If thou art fM>t aMd to entrust her to fl^,4 will ta^^ care of ^e 

poor litUe thing till the morning." 
The stranger seemicd extremely grateful to her for tids offBft hot yet ioth to part 

with his tender charge, bat after sobm apparent struggle with bis feeliogs he 

yidded, raslgaed the InfiMl to Maod, aad after biddhig him g^od night, th^ 

retired to bed. 

> For a eonsiderable time Habert and his wife lay awake, and formed many 

specttlatioos on the adfentore of the ni||it, aad endeavouring to form some idea. 

as to who the stranger oooM be, and In what auuirer he was rehued to the infisnt ; 

but not being able to Harm any notion an the snl||cct, they gar e it up, and resigned 

themsel?es to the arms of Morpheus* 

At aa eariy hour on the loUawlttg moraiai^ (which was their ^variable cos- 
torn), Hubert aad his iHfe arose. Thf In^ipl had never cded during the night, 
and nestled In her nurse's bosom, slept calmly and soandl^ Having deseended lo 
tiie parlour, they were surprised at the stilloem which pervaded It, and opening 
the door, their astonishment was Incnasetl tenfold, when they discovered that 
the stranger was not In the room* In a minute afterwards, aome ob$^ attracts 
ed Hubert's attention, lying on the labia i«-he appcoadmd and found it was » 
purse heavily laden, by the 4de oC whioh was a letter addressed In an unknown 
bsvd, to him* ^MtUy h^ bioke the 8eal,and to Ms InMte sorviifc, read aa 
folk>wst— 

''Thec&Ud entrusted to ihyeaMlaitf aoMaoiiglo, bat by a ilraage chain of 
events, which time may pciliapa reveal, fhfr. Is placed hi Hiy chamejr i«lth a hope 
that ihou wilt acquit thyself fiUrly* which thou art e^lolncd to do, or tbon mapeat 
repent thy refusal when ft Is too late^**ldark, the writer of this hath.pawer to. 
ii\}ure as vceil aa to aid theej.he It dispoaed to do the latter, and for the same 



reqneflted to bring her up with the tooUt fliidfaMl efl#e and vflkHldii, snd do not 
letherlcnow to the contrtr? tMf 'dMite% fMaroiwiitelatfoiif voA mdi'titDe-aa 
(^rconutMoefl may render It neoeiittf . W thMi'ntaiiiiit recelte fastroction^ as «» 
tha'same. Thou maiest cail her Emaestfn^. Remenheriheie Imtrnelkmt and 

obey." 

'Robert read the epbtte two dr tlii« AM, and first tookadirt bis wife with 
anazementy and then turned Ids atlenfldn •gAnio te ktter. fts pereinptoit 
ton^ wasfttf iW>tti iika8lh|(1kimi1Mt«ier« wasatflna^ the whole 

aiUr, which deepl^exdtod him. At tk liaod)«he Mkmtdt^^^mtiaity than^ 

def^tnidi aad befflde^ !?y ihe adrinSir,^:^^ ' 

ndthcr of them In a oondttfon ^o give expression to their thoughts. " * 

" the Mr Vlrghl protect us !- at length Maud ejaculated, " herd's a mysterious 
aflUr ; BUUfy, and I can no more malce it out than I can flj." 

*' Of one tliinji we are certain, that we hare an addition to our family •' re- 
tamed Hubert, folding up the letter, and patting it carefiilly away—" unless we 
like to tnm the poor Otcle stranger adrift, which, forsooth, 1 could no more do tlian 
abasdon thee, Maad.** 

«• l>i|n the poor lamb adrift," said the khid-hearted hostess, pressing the litUe 
iaaoqent closer to her bosom y «• the bare idea of that makes me shudder, fi u^ert j 
it is such a lately babe thai mV heart yearns towards it alwidy, as if li were mine 
own flash and blood. Yes, Proridence has placed it under our protection, aud we 
wffl new desert It, Hitot. The little chernb ; see, even now it smiles upon 
us, as If thaoUng as for the promise." .» . 

" It is ladaad a ftir chnd," obserred her hosband, '* and as thou sayest, dame^ it 
is the iHll of Providenoe that baa placed her with us, and it is our duty to protect 
it Besldea, i: la erldentiy the rlctlm of cndty and opprtsidoh, and should we 
abiBdoD it, doqbtleaa it wooM be left to petiA, or &n benteth the dagger of in 



<«Tlrne/ itplled Maud ; ^ beriies, the letter flatea that she U of obble piigiu, 
and who kaowa bat that we mi^ betemeaaa of restbring her to those rights 
which aooaa vlUaIn auiy have asarpetf ftwm her? Oh, thelffc are a thousand reisnnti 
why wa ahoold not refoae the leqaesibf the strlttlger,' and aofifne sultTdentfy 
cogent enough to prompt na to the contrary.'* * ' ' ^ u . < . s . : r 

" And yet, Maod," iaid bet httsbaad, aft^ a doment^ rMection, *• at'&lHtaie 
of IUe,tlii8 Isnotoolyaatraqge, b«t aa ardmrat (hsk to impose upon us ; years 
are creepiag on «a apace, atad who in Ita infont state, can bestow upon \t those 
cares and aneatfoaa, wbMt olilf a mother eaa give r* : 

*• Who ?-hark ye, Habert,'* rCpHed MsM» « b i«it ottr alece, Editti de I^acy, 
<who^ aagoadacseatttteaAererHveil,) aowsaciHngheriirstcfafld^? Toher 
care for the present let the babe be conrigned, who 1 know wiU bestow npon it the 
same m the H y a fl b a Mon as if It wei% to >My hibprfttg.'* 

« A fiod thaMgh^ Uaaid,'* saM HabcH, ^ne1(«a, Ok/km teomfng's repast, 
we win repair to EdftK^s hoaae, aadpropoeefOiasaffle toler. Bat mind m^,— I 
waaMcaittioa yoa to keep the whole aftdr a profoaad ifecre^, ft^ every one but 
Edfth and her husband^ who i« a worthy follow and fit* to Mf 'tinted, for who 



eiidVWe <%^«f ay W(«MK MlA«IM4'Mtr«atol^« in W iBBac^ wd Aea It* 

•^ -*<' TM taod NtfWI abciM te tiiMi*maM A iMrf bORlwui, u9 MTcr Al Ac fed •■ 
llfaBtH bMrt t (Ow M«et-Wtag rMMPl fct ,iIk itertemuKC of ft food kVm,) 
lull diM pluni tM InMt* tat pkMttd oioi^'i rf^«« ib« aiAt, wUA 
■Itbodgli only for ber hntbud ud hawU, wu ndi a ittbrtmtltl Bcal u iffiucj 
tdin« tbu auadtBtlorslMic ta*llr««itllpm<v Pvliv *e Internb i*- 
IWcen culog ud drioking, acr«Mt)BUi4 tP ctorfiw vpof t|)e «d*entara of Ihe 
URfai before, MipfMlMeiipati wfao tb* atnpfir W <bW M btoaght Ibe cUM. 
uid to tnddpne tbdr pkni fe* tt» 4««|e. T1^ M tMul • larp bnlir 
Q^miilni, • hcjn, ^d thdr ohpri^ l»d 

ft!l died eie U Mrefore wen Ditf Hie mW* 

diif>i»ed 10 ^ bfcD broagbt to themhi Mch 

■ inyiMrliHU nt of riew, the wooM be no 

butben to titt er tfabert, or ai be wm Bdte 

commoolir c^ pow^cd a gooAl tvtn of 

gold, »c., BDd li* wwU, tictfftlfae BhM. 

who tau bceu inriMNed cUniUitlDg AetMM. 

" ft i( *ei7 evldepi," tald Hubert, •* tl|M lyboever tbis alrtogar it, be )■ MO 
poor maa, bat wheiber beii wiyreUiioiiio'tbe cblkf,! dimbt Aito ibf tkUpti. 

AtiDv nte, tbethallbebrouhl opf " iiblcb' nwr ftt her tor 

that sUtion *be tiprobaUf'iome'fiii ti'ui tiara. Bf tke 

■aiDt*," becoDtinued, turblB^'lbe ji hepnne otnn^tbc 

uble— "tbli li ■ liTge iMm, aud ibi iniit not fam tmptr 

aJItn. A portion pf tt I will ^low I aflit tbi- reit abaabe 

cutfaUj pat bjr natil ihe bai' '^ron cfdi oDt ber ptrebta, 

(l( (be writer of tbe letter kee^ ^ nadlj ft like taia,) It 

wlUmake abaadaome yreddjii| 'do'ni ''.'Hand, basien' ihoa 

witb Bc, andletaadeapatch'tblt'ltu 'snciti wHl beBhi'«» 



WltbNMMn9rd^ t^f^i]^«»v)e ato«e,ftiitfMapd, taking Ae hifMl (Maa 

^e sripi of littpatffi^fmfih wftbUr'SUk'\7i»ocelt ittMh otnervadw, ivl 
ftcoonpaaW bf heVbubMdtWt^ ioB, ud'buTneX oT'ii'ibe^hat^ 
asm- . - ■ " .'*.'.""»""M-. -.■r... 




"■wMirm 

Tbolr bcarM a^iHiwKv, ai~ 



Edits ■» Lact redded (t(H ntat ^Irinice l)«D Ae aMteMaafttraiNlciaa 
rai confortftU; cIreiim(tao'cc3'la''fal^ ibe itUif Wheti me VattaMrfc '!«•¥• 



T«9 ^MWmCti F^4Pi|i)^^ ; li 

ill |0M* IM«V^««4 Ite fill ^«KS9mN ,69B '«^ iWble m^AV^ P^tf^ 
«ii|UGli UA. h&Bfi im^]9 WvAcffi, eiphfij^ ^j ^, fo^^ ^114 ^trf va^i^Qci; of 
M$kmf0ikm*t or piwtof4iA tli« (TcwfQ^ U)I^¥)'9%D toplf (^ ^oog t^e 
jIMmiMdc BaliBfMliil|jrw«tte4qMt^«]pHqfive^()fatlfi)ie 

ft«Mf#ilii,ol«lMMlifl«w4pMl«i}y«w(l,ap4 ^)fn^^ tbdr first 

Tke acaftMdmll^b«Qll^Q«icorR«Dtt)pb«p(|]a9 W4«f 9Mf4i l9Ml|>e$a e^^ctf^ 
t^Mta^tMdmad^a preteatw thmi <>q ib« dnr «f |l^ pii|i|il^ w«9 sitoated 
Itt » if iTirtr 9|Mft4 and cpBliliiid all the coinl5oit«9 «HhoHf apy ol ibe iuperflapns 
Inwnflii ^iMiMMMtflMtoii lialiMpBi of tbm «bp IRAM in ad|<rer«et 
ipbiitt(ttAH««iBdltli'apriritapdMMt<ob«C^itlP94#r4Mlo ^ttpd to 
Hm Mllhntion •! |be flovirs vitb fvliifili iMr frfU-W(l*fi*d giril^p vas ^ 
amp^ atod^ed. 

CmMvA m her Bilmtl imriiNio ftlifiraiioin, CcUtb lu^l r^peiTea audi in- 
HWM l lo i ift itpr yanoaa ia kar atalta, in DioMi daff, ciMd4 aoqolna 1 in l^cf » . 
hlaivdltM«iitelevaianaof itelMMilrtlia 9oit«mM l«iQWMa ^qpnOy 
yietidkf 9ar lida aha was ioMM to W vM ^KeshoAd of fli« convaQt^f 
trial H a lf* !, to whiA iba ivul pawid Hw ima^ porHoii of her youth, heiag a 
tmlAwoartlawWitlia My Ahhaaa, a«4 who M piirly pe»|i|di4 l»er to tal^e 

ia iMt, B ia alyii and J4a i|fr hri^* (Ik: cftrnvMOy m^ she wai,} might 
%o iralff aaU ta ha awoitby and l||MiyaDapfe» awl Hahen a#d hit wife vara 
fHf iMMfc aMadMd la thaami todaad vata auM peiaopa who were iipqaaipt^ 
wMi tbaai. WiMiMB aoaldheaMae itipinar thateaderi^^uit wboha4he«n 
ftoaa4toaailiaaio0uilaraMMaeffat ttie diifaaal of te han aodhoitay of^'The 
Fiafoal** 

IbaaatoaMtfMDi of EtfUi aad )m haihand, wl^a tkaiy waie ^ada acquaioted 
with the adfOBture, auiy be Imagloed aithout aay 4i4flBUgr> and they ?ery nadlly 
caaamlad to da ai Hahart and Hand raf aniad. 

•* Tea,'*^idalaied £dith« as ahe took the little Brnnet^ne In her arms, and 
Uaaed it aa ftrfcntiy as if it liad been her own offtfiringy " sweat Innocent, in 
AM thoo ahalt find a fond protector, that aaatbar ^hmi bast been depriired of ; thon 
aWt share my affectfona with mine own ehlld, and be tanght to kwe eich other aa 
bmhar and atatar**)* 

WMh thaw wofda aha phmd her fondly to her breaat, and Emnaitiaa iaoked 
ap in her fooe and amOcd as if hi gn|i«ail,th«a pulled apio the UHla Godfrey, 
irhd wat Waaidaf oa Ma aiartmi V baaaau 

BanalRh watehed the aihattoaaia aaadait af Itfi wife iriltfi tha aM)af anboap^ed 
lara aad admhrattaa, and UHei aha AeA of Ite lUtla ilfaa§ir with mnch 
warmth aad stoaailly* 

*« The ehUd diaU nam want a ftfehdwUla il Mia my iwwar to proteot bar," 
te cjaedtaMi ^aha AaUbaiaaMaiaaaof my owa <ldUiaa» and I wU not 
take aay lewaid for my tnrnbia, while I have the aiaaaof Maiiaillial#^ 

ilMiy adU, Itaaalfbtaqr lady* a« M Babait, iaffoUib aad haai% fi^^ 



10 SRNNKirriNE DB LAW; OBb 



bis httii^lMlBliiB; <*bM tWttust notM; a |NiriSott of tills fsid If only thf 
dae» sod I inaist that tfami takcit it; tlie ifanaWdcr of this, aad oflier Moyea 
%rhich I may receire ffom th« penoa nrho liali doaim Um Im to our can, ai I te» 
fore said, I iotend to |mt by for her, aod at loide fataie period It SMy be of 
seirice to her^ aod will, at aby rate» save her fromthe terroiii of want." 

It was with the otmoat diflkiilty Hobert ooold itenuade Raodlph and Ua nife 
to accede to the Arst part of thit propotal, bbt at feiigth the iaal artibgcmeDtt 
were completed, and finmestine became a member of the family .of Raoidph de 
Lacy, uttder the sapefintendence of the honesi Innlceepier'aad his wlfe^ 

<« WeU, r£iith,'* observed Hnbert, when they had finally setOed this pcdnt ; 
what happiness does the 'petfoftnance of a good action aited a person. My iieart 
now fieela as buoyant and cheerfal, as If I had jost come, into tlie possession of a 
princely fortane» and something wldspera'to nie. that this poor, chUd., will l>e 
the means of bringing us future f^dty ; that she irill prove an inesHmaWe 
blessing to OS." ; ,, , 

He was interropted by a hollow laugh, and loolthig towanU the ^casement of 
the parlour ki which they were'seated, beheld stdring in vpon.them a being of 
peculiarly awfii] and vnearthly appeanmoe, wHb vrbhered dieelis, .wild fopes of 
dark grey hair, sharp visage, and eyes of moretbmi haman fierceness* . 
' « It is Hal., of the Glen," ezdaimed Raaolph, *' by my troth I fike not his 
coming hfther, for his presence is always the hartiivger of some evil. I wiU 
spealc to him." 

The persons present trembled as Ranntph approached th&easemeot.to do as he 
said, and even the sturdy host of " The Flagoii** felt an Irresistible sensation of 
awe stealing over him, as he gated npon the singular ol)|ect wUoh still continued 
immoveable at the casement, and kept Ui pierdag eyes fixed npon them. 

Ranulph met his gaie undauntedly. " What wonldst thou here, HaL, of the 
Glen ?" was the interrogatory he put to him. 

'* I would open to thee the book of desany,"aaawered the U&tter,<*and reveal 
to thee that whidi is hted to oosae to pass." 

'< What caust thou tell me ?" demanded Ranulph, in a finn voice. 

*• Wouldstknow?- 

•* I would." 

** Thou dost not scorn my power then ?** 

" I would try It." 

« Enough; wilt meet roe at the midaight hour, in the Glen of WUlows? 
" asked Hal. 

«« I WiU," answered Kaoeiph^ naohM^ 

*' Oil, forbear, forbear," hiterrapted the terrified Etf lb, looking with an ex- 
pression of s upplication In her hasbanfa roiiaioiaecs. 

'< Art thou resolved tomeHme?" lepeaaed the hollow voice of the hideous- 
looking being, darting a feroeioiis look epon the horror-stmck Edith. 

** 1 am," was the fsarlcss reply. * 

'< Enough 1 reaieaiber r solenBly esdid»ed Hal, and the next manent lie haA 

vanished 6om the casenseet. . , 

The strange bdng aUudcd to above, inhabited a deep cavern In agloomy gem^ 
not fu' from the spot where dds scene took i^aoe. He was commonly eaUad HaU^ 



THB BOBBMSr VOVNSLtMfl. 



ot Ike Oka, ind mt nppoMd to foww MpenwiMal pomn: HI* ippctitoce 
J WM IM^IM Ib tte ortrMM, Hd be wm looked ipoo wWi Mmr bf the moM 
' coan^eoM. Tbe iahaUuiita of the piece, peiflcaUrly the IfDonnt eod n- 
pcntttloae, freqecMlj coamlnd Un, ud Ii me mU that hU pngHitkailrai bed 
pera lUled to come tree. Where be bad origlBeUjr come bum no one knew, 
tboo^ noet penoBi fimly bellend from tbe botloiiitm pit, bat the oUcet 
penoBi tn Om nelifaboiirbQod remnnbered Urn IbcR when tber were diDdcea ; 
ud thdr feihen end snodluben before them, and iadced h mi more bcbc- 
nOr beefed thai te wai no olbw Mwn B«dMb«b hfaDMll. 

To Iblt ittange and awful bdog, thenbrr, bad Rannlph pnmUcd to go, at 
tbeedediii mMoii^tboar, and taipitcof bH tbepcajmaBdrcmoMtmicet ofUa 
lAettotiate Bdllb, ^d the enbeaHea and etpoilnladODi of Habert Rod Maud 
be patbtcd lo kecplni M* pronlae. Accwdla^j, at the mIdol|fat hoar, after 
hat^ parflaUr WMeeeded In edbtUag *e temin of bn wlh, be left die boue, 
and wrapping bta doak araoad bim, baaicDCd In the dlrectioa of tbe Glea of 

WUlOWB. 

AwfoUj innd orer U« htad nOtd tbe pmObk tbnnder, and oMiaoa Bad dread- 
All wen thcTtrid mniwatlnnnifhraMn'i appalUnf Am; Ml BBdauntedlr <»• 
ward iHd Ranolph, ibe bewjvr, prveeed. 

AcToei the barren wild, eddom tnddea br tke am of aua, dU Rannlpb de 
l^cj wend hk drearj war s andiiUiadihefariamdeBKilaooabat IhdrntnNMt 
' wnKh, maUeg the ^oom -of the MikmB boor jd men awhL Bat Rannlph 
beeded nnt the ragliig tempeti, nor tamd be the |l«oB ■ronad Urn ; be bad 

No. 3. 



im Mcgr; 04b 



a atom Um ■ i ■ mm$ mam^ whiA i»rt >oer IMM M« >tfi» — d to f eMtd 
Bot|||Mil«iB, «l^ Jdt •«» ««MtoM» MffliliMflj^ med Ite afJUl tbe 
poiitnofdwkiiets. OfBalKT tte OiN lwMllMnA«&tlRi»iid«ii«teiii|ie 
storiai tiMt i««c w fiiody pn«4piii» M» iKiBUgh W imlf WBncditas 

lie VM DQMCSKb Ql MUMIBH^^H BMHhBa flA BMI^IB ■■BIftlHBLfllB&B 

of tilt iiit IwmJUii^ m# niMfc lit M^0mM ipoa It Iwij^hti Wgias 

»»^^^^^" ^™ ^^^W^^ "^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^i^^^^W^ ^B^^B ^v^'^i^^v^ aa^naHMi •■■^■■•v ^^^^ •«» ^^^^i^^^a* 

UstoMkrchaw. 

wUeb he pnved «M kMNMt ipMd «td BHitaM wnlniiaii^ BkJMiww 
«MNdttewDi, and Mfii ipta tte aecply aHa^iM Ibml* «lMt rioMrt 
Impcimwhte dKrimcM wm wOkkaA m aldke Aarrar to tteOMrtnl hHrt, bfll it 
hii MefllBctiipoiiRanilph,a»MOit than toiadaca bto i^dawr to itgi^ Uv 
be kaaw tbac tha place was liifadM wWi rebbeaiwaad lie«M *«ctea 
wiady to be upaaklsgaaid la eaie he should be anddeal J attacked, latti 
of this forest vat the ^» is vbkh Ike asyatedoas Hal, St was hU, had kaeo 
kooifo to take op Ids ahafc ftir ceathriesy and as he approached it» the storm 
xaged with teafidd fiuy, aod betwacft Ac paoses of the thander, stiaace aobes 
seemed to vibrate on the alr» aod hoUow v^^ces to be wUsperiag lylaceingible 
sentences in bis ear. Bat on did Rannlph proceed with tlie same Intrepid ooorase 
as when he left his dwelling. Onoe onljf^ he called fenrentlj npon the blessed 
Virgin to watch orer and protect his beloved Edith and their Ghi|d» andat flie 
mention of the sacred name| load groans of apparent agony rung through die 
woody aod an in a moment was still*, not even the voice of the tempest coaU 
be heard. Rannlph looked around hin^ but he could see nothing hot the tall 
outlines of the thicklj-clostered trees, and he therefore proceeded on his wiqf» 
which was a task of infinite difficnlty^ for the forest was almost impenetrable^ and 
In many places he vras oompelled to cut away aith his sword, the Collage wUcfa 
Intercepted hk progress. 

At length he reached the glen^ from the eutraace of which* a blue dckly light 
appeared, and which as Banulph approached* moved towards him* dandng aad 
flickering in hk path like a WUl-o'-the-WUp, while at the same momebt a mim- 
bar of voices seemed whispering in hk ear, and uiging him' on hk way. 

Ranulph followed the mysterious light, and soon found hhnself in tite midst of 
tte tfan^ throngh which in<fiatinct shadows and ghastly phantoma appeared to flU* 
and the dismal bat flapped its frings close to hk head, and the owl screeched tor- 
lificaUy before him. Bannlph was soivriaed. hot alUl hk heart was a stjcaagier to 
thesUghteu emoiion of foar^ aod be became only tba more anxious to fothoaa 
the mysteries by which be was surrouoded. 

A% lenglh tke light which conducted hiaji. pxpaoM, aa^ shewed him that they 
had entered upon a cavem» which beqama lamer as they adnnaed lato it, aad 
diackMed a aumbar of terrlfie objecta to thagaze^-^hnman skektoui^ from whose 
eyeless sockets^ flames of fire darted, ataod araund^ aod adders, sUmy toadsi* 



VBB BfMBlM' fMllDLnVO. Vif 



MM ^mKBt MnMi TCfUBBi tMwocicd off pttth* BNfC y0l nd 
Ibo 9oU bowfcr coQffBB^MHy BMft raffMra^ mvl v ceiffiks pcil of MistflniR* 

IR^n V MMMB OMf wMMIMVI^ «B0t)y CSQRO ntal lo fl6pa lilft MSt UIOBNM ai 

Uma j«L^dl Mkfl 4^* ««^feMM ^ttbk I^mI^ _iJ.-ftLL-l.B-l ^laftliaaiiafl ft** lii^ tt itU' ilirf 

BIM GMIOB ■■Mi TBC iMMKMUp wBRV oBfll^ gnOHB J Cripomca Dj wM DbII* XOK 

iBanvoB A nmi8 wtw <ff ftidlpy nn hMKcHVAob Ac red utts wSt burMa lo 
E ctfdPMi wUdi itood ID the cntvcy^^iiiidpii' ^faW scMm oa tt nooBd or6lMI« 

)Mt OOttMB WW dfOtey «D6 ttyilHlOVI Hhl|[^ Be 'lUn *60flte mv aPKf| Iffin Of fhC 

mmi •'• "' ^' ^ 1 

xBfr swnMiQiDS|f Mni|^ ww tmoB voraifv ft noe lilitey BpiNuuray IbrttCn ont 
v ooHMD DOHCVf iBv posoenD^ ofor H mHRfv ToivBcy HI wuKU were iDscnms 
1 BBBocr oiaOffBccMrtBiflry* Boore am fvoo a gioDe ; wNFfv nil MM nuiy 
M inlpMiiPy Mri ft AdB ftM ffMi tanoi $ nffRo ftt ttb 'flwc sttMd sn ioniiciMi 
cit ttd ft tftvtgtModUn^ do|^« Who grouped tfofcdy b 'MmnjiA cutinvfl 



ThBUlnftf Rttovftf hit plenfflg ojct flroni tAo myitfc TaHmM ivhtn nftmnptt 
i p pwt d, «Btf taflof iml ttaii ODttai fbr ft ttooMit or two» arote, took hit 
ntfltf hilOihittd, ftftd stepped tato <hedrde. Ifo looticr had be done ao, thyn 
JtaNdphfHt the earth tvemhieheiieach hlia,«Bdknid pe^ of tfiand^ shook ilie 
^■rfledroof. 

** Adtaiice» Ramilph de Lacy/' lald the wizard, *' and fear not !*' 

''Fear!'* repeated Bamdph iconiMlty, as ht approadied dote to th^ magic 
drcie, ** #faathas he to fear, who feea no dhoger^aad idioie coosdenoelt dear f 
— BU of Qie Qfen, T eome tf tty hMdltag*; what trottkUt thoo of me f" 

*' Hast tiioft the covage to enter the ftiaglc dide V deaumded Hal. 

la a moment Ranalph stepped Into the ring, and advaftced to within a few 
pseesof the wizard, whose ^|ca aeemed to ^cam dashes of fire upon him. No 
sooner had he done ao, than loi^leirlie,aBd IndaacdhiWe noises Tfbrated in his 
ears, the earth yawned at hia fcHg Iroa which awaa ft iiwshnr of hideoos forms, 
who danced feotastfcaliyaMftftildiBk Thft isiiii iisdUl wand, and in an In* 
stant Ihey vanished. 

** Ramilph de Laey,** said t^ wiMrd, •« bewire ; attempt not to move from the 
spot whereon thoo art now staadhg tnrtll I eomftiaad ttm, or tremble for the 
cooseqneooes t" 

" I obey ;" answered Rann1ph» imdCi, «* now, mysteriotta bdng, what wouldst 
thon with me, I repeat ?** 

<*Raanlph, danger snrronnds tbi^ wiee and aMiow Uneaten thee, for the 
ebarge thoo bast taken npoo thee iT* said Utlaf ft aolaeinfoice. 

** How knowest thon thmf* 

'^Howknow I, hft,ba, ha,-4b«>r! UNftHlbeMthaf 1 do not know?" returned 
the wizard. In a foloe wMdi made^ spadotts cavtm re<^bo again. *' Hark 
ye^ ftid tPcfleve, ferfltif, m» thtWIaaNef tto Aeh, iU fci n ii th#ri iris 
wrtiaett fih «M bo* ftf dastbr, that tilM»ft Mm* dMt^e er MlaAme wWeli 

diov taftt iifidbKakail t» pitNitt, wrttt ha wii pswatadra tfhi i , ihdlb» 

panned with misfortnne, and endure sorrow, «lMfy» aaidtagtiev!^ 

*^VcaM wot^ hftftMBlty pttntft^ watt to the dcvdi atid tSMto whdt may, Twfil 



30 BBNI<f SfliTIKA, DiB ^CY ; OR, 

. <<IU8b*fiMd!fiwildalbrliigiteiya|N|4tlqr«i£^ 
entail aBfokh tod dlagr»pe npga thj aoa ?" - 

JUnalpb ftarted* At the mmtiaii of tbotft mq ter to liiei^ hi» hmxt for tbe 
ftirit U^iiUeccdt and bebetUated wbit xaply to make. Tbe wisard leemed to 
read bii tbongbts^ and bia eyei glared witb exaltadoo, as be exclaimed :— 

*^ Pun, Ramiliib de Lacy, wbile I dlsdoae to tbee • few pagea from tbe Book 
of Fate. Arttboaptcparedtobdmldtbem?" 

<* Proceed/' nid Ranidpb^ recoveriog bli •elf-poiaesaioii«F-**ptooeed! 1 am 
prepared to encounter all tbe terrora tby ma g kaetcan rabtt.^ 

«<KMMigb$«-bebold tbeni" aaid Hil»aad«afi«9biainmd» inan iaatant ibe 
eamnwaiinfolfedin ooa^Me dailuatat and Raaplpb oo^ noi d J at t ni ni a h n 
ain|^ oljact mdumI blm* A dead tilanct alio pnfaiM» wbkbwaa wdi^lar- 
nqited for Mftral ndnotea. At lengtb, bowtter* nnaMag noiae aoemed 
proceed from beneatb tbe spot on wbiob be atood»^ wbtt aonnded like distant 
tbnndert and gradually • flickering Ugbt aroee frwa tbe caldroB» iHdcb laanmA, 
warn tbe wbok place waailbuined by n deep red ftaicwMdllanalpbbabdd tbe 

wizard still standing in tbe aaae pMne as befive* b«t tbe taMo on wbicb was 
placed tbe mystic fotome waa before bim, aodnn tbe latter bis eyea seamed to 
bt'fixed witb tbe moat intense earnestness. At tbe back of tbt cavern alao» 
JRannipb bebeld am inunenae mirror^ wbicb waa partiaUy sbadowed by n.tbiib 
taponrymist 

Halof tbe Qlen did not duaa«ebia atlitnde £to aerccal nOattteiy fiban soddenly 
be timed towards tbe caldrontand tbrowiag bimself into a tariety of ittvm 
attitudes, be nitered tbe lUlowisf wordsb a farterralf, dropping aomeUOng inW 
tbeealdnm:— 

*< By tbe power to wbicb ye bend» 
To me tby assJatance lend ;-*- 
By tbe cbarms wbidi now I tbrow 
In tbo caldron's burning glow ;— 
Tbe bbick blood Of tiM poisonous saake, 
TIm ring I from my finger take ;~ 
By tbe powers wbfcb all must fiut 
Watery Are, eartbt and idr t 
By oU «bt|N»wer wbicb I beaal. 
By aU bdHs infernal boat s* 
Wbelber eril, wrong, or ligbt. 
Quick reveal to mortal sigbt 
Tbat wiiich dtber soon or late, 
'^ ' b decreed to Um by ftte. 

Bound tfie caUtau nowl go. 
And my mystic ante ptaiy 1 
In tkamigibty Cham I <fai»w« 
.gpwewfdarinwMtbmiobfy! 

Artba wlMdulland tida lusartmisn, btdinoed ftmitloaUy amad ttm cA^ 
dtott, contlnuhig to tbrow sousetbing into tbe fs% «d Cfery time be did eo» 
itt Man asseadad to tim «ou«f Milfie sbiielBi itnl tin air, and tiM veiee of 
tiiMider pealed more lou^^ flmn eaur> 

Campletely^paralyied wMi astottisbaien^ Banulpb «tood transfiged to tiie spot, 
and watcbed anzkmsiy aU tin awAd proeeedingi. Tbe wiiaid baiHng ceased bU 



wQA antics^ te ctvern oiiee noic became conplele^ dark, bat it only lasted for 
a momeot, when a bright doad aroee^iMi Oe earth at ^le bade of the cafam, 
and hafiog gradoafly Aapened| rereiM to theeyet of lUnolpb the clear siirlbce 
of the nlrrory before whldi stood 0d ef the CMea, slowly wavfaig bis waad as be 
uttered :— 

The diarm's oooiplete^ my auuidate hear, 
Pliaiitoms, at my call appear ! 

RaniUphfookedstedlbstly toivafdstfaeailiTar»aiid was asS srt sh ed to behold it 
ttfleeiaeompleteffpreseataftlonof the laieriorof his owa dwaUtaig. His Edith 
was seated in the chimaey-coner, and waSchlog wMi lot^Ati iMidness and de- 
ii|bt,<be pteyfol gambols of a lefdybeyaadgkl, whBeaiig«e,theeBacteoim-| 
terpaiiof hhasrif, was karing ofcr the bash of the tedder nMlher*s chair, and 
seemed to be wrapt ia the same fsellap of extacy as ttiose BdNh esperieaced. 
Raoolph was delighted with the plotvre; b«t seoa it changed, SBd the apartmeat 
BOW hxdted wretched and arisciable ; bis wUis and himsdf, tofether with the 
Bttie Godfrey asd Branesthie, were seated open tfM floor before a flrelem hearth, 
the pictoret of poverty ssidsqiisiidBdsery. Despdr was hi their eyes, and hpa- 
gcrde pfe t nr ed in thdr hollow and ghastly cheehs. Baanlph toraed from tiie con- 
templation of this awAiI scene, with a shudder of horror, and wiien he once more 
fixed Us ejes apon the m^fic adrror, it was again changed. He now beheld 
a beaottfol guden, In wliieh seemed to Uessesa all te lovdlest of Nature's 
flowen ; a jonth, who^ by his Uhenem to himsdf, he knew to be his soar, was 
kneeUi^ at tte foet of a b eaute o ns daamei, la whose featarea he coohi deaHy 
trace a likencn of the infont Bmncstine, and wlio was smiling open him with 
aU ibt ardour of impassioned fondness, and l ec d d ng with apparent pleasure a 
ring, which the young man was pfaKinf upon her finger, as a token of his love. 
Bat an instant, and this passed away, and Banulpfa nest behdd the dark and 
gloomy walls of a dungeon, to which he saw his son ehaiaed, and maaaded 
band and foot, wldle diove his head glared, in characters of Are, the word* 
**Mitrderr Slowly this ranished, and hi Ua place revealed to the astonished 
gazer a baronial hall of Jusdce. Oodlny was atantfaf hi custody, apparently 
satfering all the agonies of hesfsr and despair, and knedhig In suppUcadon, he 
beheld a figure resembling bintseii; his wifo, and Emnestines but tfM stem Judges 
averted thdr heads, and seemed deaf to tiie appeaL Once mose the wlaard waved 
his wand, and then Banulph saw the representation of a woody glade, and 
Godfrey in the act of thrusting his swoid thnugfa the body of his phantom Uke- 
nets, wi^ Emnestine, wUh etosped hmids, stood by> and lesmad to be qaite 
paralyzed with horror. 

'* Demon 1 fiend ! Ill ga» no aMsn l" nnldswd Banulph, wound up to a 
pitdi of frenzy, *< It is but a» aanvasd ashema, « damned delashw» to tsaipt 
me to swerve frfWB my duty I Af uu nt t 1 will no longer suftr m yse lf to beeeaie 
the vieilm of tidne Infomal apdis r 

The words had no soonet sscapcd his lipSy than the hesiiblt mdaes wok fa- 
newed ; ghastiy phantoms danced around litm, and grinned upon and nMuaoad 
him ; the magic minor vani^Md ; total darkness ensnsd ; Banulph fdt Usaself 
foiled to Uie eartii by a powerfol blow,4md becanse hMeadble 



9S mtmnrnmiim nr hkwt; xm, 

TheiitiicdilBl of ikeaMlilag^ Mttwit stmnriDg apoo the eaitli, sod the 
ftllnrnii MBplen lad kegift to dunotthcfrdcHIfiiious wetoometo lib golden 
jfamnct, Whf lUuNipi de Lacy regiiiied Ms wiuei» sod fbond Umtetf itretched 
M Ihe ««dm wrtlit ve»r ^le ta/mmbt % 'tie csfern^ In which the wlzatd per- 
lomed hii mystic rites. The wet occasioned by the tempest of the night before 
soon dried ap beneath tiie ^eidal inflnence of SoPs spofrhiig rays ; and the air 
fkiesh and fiignnt came reriring to the splrila of the bowyer. He arose npou his 
feely and gazing aionnd hlm^ at first had some dUBcnlty In bringing to bis recol- 
lactai wliarate^i«i» «nff trhafrfaatf broo^ Mm fhlther ; but soon the awfnl and 
i ci fenc ei la tie wlanfb cavern roshed npon his memory, aod a 
iKa^Uku of liDftt>r nm tliiongh bis fdns, as he dwelt npon what 
he bid MOD H <W i Hglt sflrror, and ^fiie predMons of Hat of the Glen.— Bnt 
tMs fedlNl wbv«ttlf memmitary, and hi aten tone he soUloquteed :— 

'' itoi^rfl I'betempled to swerve mm my dnty lo my fellow-creatores, by the 
■mcUinMlMi of tke powers of darkness f Shalt the wild Incantations of this 
flsnd mske me i|Nini tlw (fidates ef hnmanhy, and cast the poor BtUe straoger 
iBffth^ p aihlit awrsiy to— 'We \*^ aP my hopes of mercy here and herealter« 
1 0wear» thai wtimefer iMe attend me* I wifl protect the poor child at the hazard 
ofmyMi. Hubert Ims exaeied ftom me • pronAse to tiat effect, and my own 
heart saaeHont ft r* 

AloBdand oanatastf peal of fang^tter, wUdi seemed to proceed from the hi« 
aoal leeesKt of the oanera, I n teti npted RaBnl|A In Ms meditations, and came 
ao enddealy and ime^teeteAy open Mm, taml H made Mm start. Re looked 
«owd Mm, bai he «w notfUtag to cieHe his carieiilty,and aO was now again 
dtont as thodmaiy precineto of the tomb. Itonalph kioked Into the cavern, bol 
his eye eooM not penekrato the ^vkoesa beyood, and altera few mlnates more 
la laflaellDa, he d oi u f mlu e d to enter It^aad see If he eoold unravel Ua 
ife graced Ms swoid, (wMch be had ffoond lying by bis side,) firmly 
in Ma haad, and groped Ms way tbrmwA: A snflbcallng efllavU filled this phioe* 
mid ilaaaiph«mnd oonihleiaUediflfealtylnhreatMng, and as he stretched forth 
1^ haa*,he Irit Ae eeM and simy toad crawlfaig np die Sides of Uie cavenu 
Flodbs that the daHmeis raflier seemad to tnerease than disperse, and foarior 
that he skoidd not be iMe to find Ms vray oat again, seelog,al8o, nochaqceitf 
giail^rk>ff his cBrtodty,le made up Mtmfari to give up Ms design; and tnmed 
back. AalRdMao,thehKidhraghter,arlf from a thoosaad voices, again shook 
tito lai— , iddek had not snMMed when lie once more foond himself In the 



Jtaialphehealbedhleeword,aad hastened on Ma retnm to Ms home, knowing 
that his gentk Edith, and her parents woidd feel unhappy at Ms protracted stoy, 
rspwialli VMMath^ tifara acfwMad with the awfU and mysterioos business ho 
fOn« t^aa, aad wai to ifanJ the mny wiM hegends timt had been toMof 



Bytiieiime he had emei«ed ftomUieQleD, tiie sun was blazing fortii In foU 
8ptoBd8Br,aBitbe«reaafUtogeseemed totecelvea double ftesbness and beauty 

ficaai htabaasas. 
GhnasdwMi the flmasm of the morrtar, Jtaaulfii walked rioarly on, anff 

gifo up hia tiioi«hta to vi%ai had happened to Mm tiienlght before, e«ery dr- 



VKB B0»BBB'« VOUNBItlKe. 2$ 



of wMch WM M itoply lnpraiiA apoft Jdft MwUcctiiM, M if It teii ai4r 
oetvici ID lita ft lew ariMMi prcrioat^ Sham rr-Tnl iwnngn io tiie 

fMmt wUdi thewbud by Mt cahftHnk «V kidflalM vp be^it bim, fPldch 
pwdettbrij fliraek bta ; ctpcciil^ tiMl iMa% wlOdi «btMtd tte a 
spring ap bctiieai Ml iftPMidi ywft M iM ; and tbe trial actne^wMrcilMcme* 
to prognosticate llwl Godfrey WMrid ba aeoasedftl aaidar. This certafaOr gast 
the fond dtber^ for a few BoaaniSy soae ■ncaaiaeas; bnt UaaMwal good seasa 
pfgfailed oferthe'sapais<tfai»feaw wbich the pow er of the wfawd were soflcisnt 
to create In "■ »»^^-*^, •t*^ ^ ^«ii^n— »— j t^ ^ii— » wt. **-nghti 'ttirfinirii irthfr 
channel, in which he sooeeaiad. 

CertalDthatif haidatedthetrathSofidHhof whidhehadsaea andJiaanlia 
his Inteniew with Hftl» of the Qlen, It waald not only rsndar her miserable, 
bat migbt prevent herfreai being so aitentiva to ihahr Iktia chaiis as she ivonld 
odierwise be, Umalph was not hiag la deiisiaga tBla» sufflclillf iMxrible, cer- 
tainly, bat In ao manner sHadiBg to GodfSray or Biaoottine, and with which ha 
doabtednolslwwoaldbesatis6sd| and hariag done so^ iie qaicbeaed has pace» 
and soon arrived at hoBBe, where he tand EdHh and her parents waidag in the 
alBMMt stale of donbt and aaalaly for his vctara. They yeatad his lelain tidth 
die most anfelgned deUght^ sad bsriegad bias with qaasdaas abant his adveotaia 
with the wisard. 

" Marn,** cadaimed Raaalph, Inagblag, «'aa' thoa Iswttest, EdUb» that I 
have been oat all aight,niatfdahSyaad,bytbasalBtB,laaoaeof the moat ^tea- 
able of weather. I am bpdi hangry aad ashkst, so pr'ydiee biiag iofili sogm 
refreihawnt, or I shall have to mskoa maalof aqrntBMtSt or seme oHmt pocdan 
o( myeis." 

Sdith immedhddy battled aboot, aad pladag » baarty moal beiias her hpsbnm^ 
walled iflspatientlyantll ha shodd hanadiipatchtd It, sa tksfthatcario^milght 
begatifted. However, Raadpfc saeaed detasaslaad ta Urn her jatiencsi^ tor he 
not only ale what she bad pteced beisia Urn, bat asqoiaad a assoad altowaacri' 
which he contauMd with eqoai relish, and as keen an appedla. At lMt» ib o warsi ^ ' 
he did flolsh his mesl, and then, Idbh, Habetf, aad Ms wife, gaibmai aear Mm, 
while he leUued a most terrHfe story aboaft what ha had aaaa ki the wlaard's 
cnpcm, bot which was completeit ibrs%n to tha tmh| and so wali^ aad at 
serioasly did he detail It, that dkey shragged ap iMr ibiiaidMS, tKaibladr Mi 
bdieved every word of It. 

Habert aad his wife having once more e^jelaed Raaalph aid thefe daaghter 
ta.scoasy, pressed the beaoteoas hrfhnt to their b e s o m s , aad hjirfag It sflMi a iw 

atety, left the place. 

« « o ♦ a 

We will now pass over a period of several yea»*"*aathiag psrtlirttr oinwripg 
to the characters in onr narrative, doriag that time, deaseviag ^ rttanllofc 
FaithfaUy had lUnalph and Ms wife peribrmed their paamlaa toimfd»thair little 
r«r«tf, and the good Habert and Blaad leaked apoa her wMt lA tha «me Isa4- 
mm as if she had been (heir gr«adddU,«4Bd ladsed «a dmt ihamntsf ftntj 
flowed lier, thinking that It was not ?ery Uhely any oaa wadA cvav eoase 
Io dispiite thdr chdm nppa heralbetfaDs, aa thaylMA aavtrsoea the 
who had brooght her to " The Fbgaa," OB the ovmMfid nighty Mi bid bil< 




24 SRNNS8TINK DB LACT; 0% 

recnved tUe proniied aUowuoe, wMeh 4lMr fvvid left iar Mfm io n 
mystcricMM mttiiiery io Hm veif pidour !■ wbkh tbey had gtfoi ihe 
sbelter; so Umx tk&f ooncHidfld he was eillKr.dead,cir,lha^ftBdliigalK 
good hoBtt and tboM who wovid take caie of lMr--*iie had deiefted her. 
RamUph or EdMi, in ftct, wished for any peitaii Io come forward to claios hk$ 
forsbefrasnowasdeartotheaiastheirawBchild— the iittie Godfrey— who was 
the ouly one that sdndved oBt of the family they had liad. 

Eraoesiiiie de Lacy* (by which naoie slie was only known,) was a beaoteona 
girl when ten somoMrs had fiassed over her head, and at that early age she ex- 
hibited all those intrinsic and extrinsic diamu* which, in riper years, were to 
expand into perfection. Her tonn was that of a little fidry, and her footstep 
was so dght, that It seemed scarcely capable of dasUng off the dew from the 
yerdnre beneath It. Her features were omecenoe and oeaaty combined ; her eyea 
were a cemlean Mae, beaming with inteUigeace and affection ; and a smile con* 
tioaally played aroond the Uttle twin chorals that, formed her lips, which gate as 
irresistible sweetness to the expression of her countenance, which conld not fA 
to rivet the attention of every beholder. Her skin was exqdsltely fair, and ber 
cheeks were flashed with the roseate bloom of liealth^—Her bcjight flaxen hair, 
fell in rilken, natural ringlets over her neck and shoulders, in hunuiant profinloii. 
But it was not the extreme lorellnesBof the little fitmndling which drew liNth 
most adndration, hot the general sweetnam of her dispoaitkMi. Afliectiion^, 
gentle, obedient, and iatdliflaat, she soon became the theme of cooTerMtionlit 
the ndghbourhood where she resided, and to every one she was always, even 
whenachHd, not only a welcome, but an honoarad guest If any of the old cot- 
tagers were siek, little Emoestiae was snre to be thdr frequent visitor, and she 
would bring wMh ber aaditrita for their relief as she had been able to obtain 
from Hubert, orKaM^ and Jda wife. Among the other children in the vicinity, 
she was an nnivanai fevomile i and if any qoatrels took place among her UUle 
playmates, Ae was always the nmdh H a r between them, and never felled to bring 
about a reeondlMon. 

Tb Ranidph, and the aftirtlinntH BdUb, ahe looked up with the same ardent 
attachment as If tiMy had been her pnMBli ; indeed, she had never known any 
other, althongh, ns aoon as she conld nndentaod the meaning of it, tbey had, at 
the request of Hnbart, told her that ^be was not thefar child, but the daughter of 
a distant lehrtion, whom thoy Ughl^ scgardid, bot who had been dead ever since 
she WW an Infem. The oenMva b&m of the tovely cUki frequently prompted 
many a tear to the memory of tarjnppMOd faients, but the unremitUng affection 
of tiiose who hnd ndo^ied her, novsr felled to aoothe her, and to draw her heart 
■ore dosely, if possible, towards them. Of old Habert and his wife she was 
doattngly fond, and fteqnent^ whan ttey wit n ame d her innocent endearmenta, 
they mentalty thaiAed the ^ndghty for rendering them the instrumentg of saving 

her from anotlmdydenth, andfot Inao mysterious a manner bestowing upon 

them a bdng who piomised to he a hloiriH ^ 'iMm ^ ^^ ^^'^^'^"^ ^3^* 

Bat if there was one that dm was SMie acdently attached to than another. It 
was the little Godflrcy ; and he evinced for her an equal afltection. In sweetnen 

of disposition— in g en er o dtf of haart-in vfartae— and every, good quality, they 
aflBfaaflatad, and from ddldhood, tkay weie unhappy bot when they were in each 



THB bobber's FOUXD 



oOa't toclrtT. TogetbCT Oitf nunblnl orrr the gr«ea GeUa, cliDbed the auep 
hillf , and ganiboltnl down il» side* ; or If lojihin; prevented Eriineitiiie frow 
b^Df bli compiDioD, Godrrer aerer Uled to gWber for her • noscgtf of the 
■freeteal flowen, which the ucepted ntth moreKlneere deQiht tgd (radflcatloii, 
tban vtuy In a higher nnk woold hare fdt at lecetilng a coroDct of gnsi. 

()ad£rcr«MatiobleboT, endowed wllh all the grace of fall fittber, and bti f^- ' 
Iain esprearlye of ererj excellent qoalitf. Rti dispoildoD wm open, tKt, candkl. 
If d generooi, ^whlle, at ibe Hme (Ime, althoDgh hli mannci* *me MUom radM 
lv,a i^iiiif be evinced a proper (pirit, that would oot bRN>k an tuialt, or tmckle 
14 op(ireitJ<u>> BrODght np In the bardft bedthftd wsf whiett nuun ord^i, 
a^ iKit,fUupered bj thoie Inxnrlet, and rkllciila«« atteoUooi In wbicfa the dill- 
diea of t>e w<althr tie Indulftd, Oudfter^lT erinccd aneaainioo itrengih, and 
f rfbnU esuslitulion. Tht glow of hedlb wm alwa;* apon U( cbeeki, and hti 
■tiTKlou Eje ahewad that fail mind waathe abode of eoalat He wm ever at 
the bead of the sporti pnctlsM b; cb« bora In OmIm dayi, and was alwaji tba 
cbaaii>i<tf> In ereqtbing thej attempted «» do. In ladng, leaping, wreatSng, 
noii^ couU eqnai him t ud aa hb hAer ewlr langbl bin Id bend the bow, ai 
.:'i>*"r;-h 'ncreaKd witb hi) fean, besbewad frwt tkUlIn Ibe vte of it, and II 
itai one of hli principal pleaanm to laaiMn thntogb the frecn (nrert with Ui 
"gntty alitcr|"(uhecn11ed Emnenlne-,) bjbladde, and IndaI|C tn thia maaJr 
apart. 

Sodi were Emneiilne and Godrrer when children, and b It any wonder that 
aOfecliOD aboDld spring op between 4wo iv^ klndrtd aptrlla > Cloaelj aa twn 
So. 4. 



26 mp^KBSTUos us ubori 9% 



M lbqr«mr«lto»«o did tMr love iBmMa-IadMI|iiNI»ll^f IpilMiRi s» 
oilier pairioDMaacli4»« teodteaaiilrteriroirilledaBrcidkcitwrs ta4|i 
Ti w ' -iTrr - r 1 m i i n ihf ijnij Inlli f il l H it tkfU mW» H i h rtiiwii ml n mtrnv mn 
phitteMDc. Godf^iifiM*iiter«MiMMteUI^,«idwfaenl» 
he^At woold blnli»«iA Mo tar tee» «Ufe a Mivitfoo thoc tluoqpk 






>i» if to Qodftoy ii 111— JM tWk fcijop iroro If TpltaHe^ wm to 
thif to tiNir ftta*; IMr ma *ooHni tin* tiiej reiily iMd OMfc 
wKlkdlAit Mdw «iA tapMrioMl fOMlotM^ wUcb tlpo tavt h ifjifclo rf 
fedtaii Thli nrriiiiffiil flinm rtl gnwt mhimjoih fm lnwlnjj iaii 
bl% ofcocoBri^Mt<Wrioio»wrfi>ittaiit<tlcrho|<taBMi<iilttoy 
ew be unltedg wJbtimia^ ufao we te pwiti of 'Bammimf'^tAti/Om 
•UB IM*-^ wta fMfc «NV JiOltbi be-«rf if over *iV iri^ enM forwaii 
-tta * ■■ ■" ^ko Mta7 tkit iiiHwl— im iMiiioD WM nkelf to 
BntlMr wen IbiV to eta* it ? Coold tfacy eoniBaDd tbea Ml 
to tao wb oHier? Oi«U ita ovect lio ipHMr^ ftar io itar fowttifll 
boiOiM cotM to i Biii gimj Afw if tfM titaor of iiMMtance^-^ftfa^ ilifi 

taitl lA *eir taoMb dnft w oaortMf rwr oeoMf. 
oMQ tt became a port of UHir feryodst* 
eoce, and kideed to etpnate them from each other, vmt bme beta «caeMM 
by tbe deaNi of one or botb of MieBU 

Bnt it woi aowag <wj Jiimldbe wawedof IhebwpiiBiww of thdr peedoB^ 
and tbe abiolate neoeidty there was fbr Ibeir eade i ooi ing lo ceo t ao r it, and to 
look npon each other o|il| as a biotber and dster shookl do, aod that naplea- 
sant task old Hobert took npon himself, and cxecated it wtib all the lentleiieia' 
and feellAg that was poasihle. Godfrey and Emnesdne Dstened to his words 
with astooishmeat { it was the fiiat Ome th^r had been awakened to 4ie reaHty 
of thdr feelings, and the confiisfon of the fbrmer, and the bInslMS and tears Of 
the latter, oonHnoed the old man that their surmises were verified. After tfaal 
intervi^r, Godfrof and Emnesdnet fbr the first lime, knew what sorrow waa* 
Bnt why shooldth^ be CwUdden to lore eadi other only as a brother and sister? 
TVofo thqr oot worthy of each other? were theyBot both alike vbtooos ? and 
wtm not their coadltions the same ?— Twas ime she had been given to imdefw 
stand thai hor parents were no mor^ bot die had not been tDfomed wheter or 
not they had left her any property: and^ indeed, die was staled to be the ibingbWr 
of adistantfribtioB, and therelnre, thdr Uhh was, doobtieii, eqpid I— Whalob- 
JoetailbancoobltlMartaetothdrbcing onited togelher? why shoold they Mil 
Item 4Mr loin WW hopdess? ond if perdsled In, eonld only be piodnctfvo of 
miai^ to Ihemaetas and their friends ??-Saiejy the oppodtlon was nnreaso n abl o^ 
iiwas nsjoiti Magp craeL BalthemisfortaMsof the loivaweitsoontoeoB* 
moooe hi icali^ Actadwatinashorttime abbntto bontb whkhwoiddovor* 
wWm 4iem in soROpr. 

a SMS a mrtanciioly digr lo GodCrc^y and EmnesOoe, whan lh|f were eooi- 

pdlad to sepanuo, for the fanner was growing apace, and his parents cooU not 

think of his remaining always in a state of inactivity at home, ndther did lie 

bold aod enterprisiag spirit wish it: yet at the thooghts of parting fhrn 



TBB wmamtifp pot}Mi»t«iM«, 27 



li i iti ilti 'it Mwi Bmh wi etcfclot^h tf B H i Wtf ly m o l€ iin , to wMiH . Bold, 

fMn df Idhr iMrirtMiBAm fteinw iwiherwho wattheemprmof 

; tkifiirigl* cvv «eB4«g«ia» Bade him abtadoft 
liir M^ fci gplfeilO^iilli HMhiM <l M>tlithcr> t» it ciwtrin I •oA, tetteaJ^ 
of ■ H ii i i lu i toihcilB<y<l»rBtbcrtdeOMi^,iihiibaa tdv* 

it» NTMi hte M thfrcoBiDHikMi of Ut 




thUph de Uqr; » «i> 



aficr nran lo csppni id mm ■■mw , 

to let teitrne lo?e cannot be ntttafaii* em %gr Hit 

*1lblAtrf»iiiii 0oCtttwyCbrtfc»iinndllloiniii>il«i<U^fai,A>wolyh»thett- 
4>htt ilf fheMy of tte iM^ frtmo nfettrilf «Mi pUMrt^^ 
d# tt l fea tylho|w»oronlwriridoiiMnin%aiiiiDtmiyMnoiaio^ Ske 
iriif iMtt ftr niMty yetfi • widow; and WD«|hl n^ hor cU^ (am only aoft 
lii'MilllerJ to tto ta«o pMlw of fIrtBs aiii baMvotaoo » kmalf ; and wall 
Cd they pnAt by die ibii H ii U |Wi Bi |Hi aho iMid hartUM li>olli<r atoda, 

'"LbHt IMm^^p^ Bt> A iii i l p i , Ibe aaa ai tte H i i ti l toiy Iw i w o wa a w d, waa 

oaof |y fcrty yeara of af(t» bol waa atiH onottrdad* HovaaoiaiOtbandaQBiioaMny' 
^ iMMleawdf of m Iboae a c eoM p Mib Mali dlniirfadr ifas geattnaan. la 
diiBtadrt,1i« watopnfHoqy, aftb i e> aaiitelrfMrnii tratfl^ Hm flMoaoitoCUft 
defcndhnts wftb loipecc^ and noaer ai a ib i g ibaa bangbdy aaii ^pfwdcid do- 
mmaat, wMcb waa loo eoauM aMi« tba MUtty of thaaa daia. In te 
Mfio-deU, Dooo badiKNroiioblydMni«WMdllMMrifcatteibftbad4Qnoi 
bywbMiliebad gained Ibe ftwnrof bto ieowl§u» nriMadOanrdaUoOsaaA 
IbB odmintlon of Ik ddfrtMoi oolHigBna hi anaa. 

Lord RbfBMNitf , frooi a ye«lb, bHi bean n oaaablnaMo toe abaond* and hia 
melher and sActfonate 4ilQf y dte baanliona Miagnarila^ wo^kouk wMi aaadl aw 
friie antfcoDceni»oo Hi hm feUn la ImbMd^tol bo wot up w ai e d wHh n 
deep maucbdy, wUdt tbey In fabi andiaiomad t» loam Iha ca«M oC UfOA 
being qnestloned by Ml awlber n|iaw to ■rtjacly b> iimaaaMU toliod bat aM)llo 
airge ber qoeatois, as to aaevoi caMo of bit aarww aaaat ever vaandn an in- 
TJoiwic secfcf foefceo wtuun Mo own bveaal^ 

Qicatty aflicted waa ibofOaenMaladSFattoi etaaaaaatoea^ bq| tediatitwaa 
ttideia to Qoeition ber aon Antbar. aho di e un ed to aaMaoik an4 indaamiiifrt 
bf etery nMaas In ber power, la atoiklo iio aatoitolir fMbir wbkb bo aatoods 
Brongbt op In die taAy of too bKly» waa 4 M catol 9aiiMad» whom Lord 
Bagrmond bad proaMted lo to (Bgnlty of bio Saqnirey attatoi to wblob to 
nniBitf gobtf yadMaaandpaiepnalooMasoof toyontb^dlyaniiiled tou He 
bod been left an orpban bi eUHbood, and bis portnta baaing batftbat^in to 
aifiwe of die nla Lord 8t» Aawelpb, tbeir dAd waa boQQpatnpantb ibeelQMat 
and attentteiiy by ilie benevolaiit peraena into wboaa bandalia bad ao fotttF 
Men. 
U tealua W waa n MMaibbUr doe Yomb. wMk a oonaaanaaao ^vneadva of cMar 



28 EUNXBSTINB DB IdMPt; OS» 

good and generdm trait To m tmcomaum volifilfr 4if|Miitioiit.teiidM a Aoi4^ 
heart, aod a courage which in earifda^Vy sngontfa dM^giiiM Hifeve. 

Hobert hafing formerly rendered a o a w a anifte — thf iMliaff aiiUmd .M»ywgnd, 
whenever the latter came to Bnglaiidy lie never ialkd to «l^ «fc*<Tbe Flag^" 
on the way, and Lady Gdestlne, hia notbar, nlae WM-lMiiientJ^^ for A.abo^ 
tlm<^, the worthy innkeeper^ guest. The beurtyt ibe innoeMioi, and inteUigeno^ 
of Ernnestine, grettdy attracted tte attentton of Lndy CelcitiiMb and crmted^hec 
warmest admhntion. She wottid, indied, have taken her mnder bar ^atfonaget 
but Hahert and her other friends vtk n d to pari ndib ber} and Bynngstine 
herself, much as she esteemed tbetady nod hv amiable dMibtflr,«Dald not bear 
thethoughtsof leaving those by wbemshebad been so kbuUybrongbt op. Em- 
nesthie was now almost constantly as the inn, and was oomvonly called ** The 
FUr Msdd of the Fb^^n," and many were the penons who were attncted thither 
by her beauty aod the sweetness o€ ber dlspeaitien* 

Bat there was one who viewed ber wHb mere admiraiien than all the rest ; who 
was more gay and joennd in ber presence, and whose eyes sparkled with an ex- 
pression of ddight whenever they met, which called the Uosbes in her cheeks, and 
made her feel a sensation of conteskm which she was at a loss to understand. 
Hie person we aUnde to was Reginahi, who bad been acqaaiated with them from 
ddldhood, and was frequently the companion of her and Godfr^. 

Between Reglnakl and Godfrey, beiog alihe in diaposlttoo and principles, aa 
ardent friendship soon sprang up and they wereaaofren together as circumstances 
would permit. They endeavoured to outvie each other in the athletic sports that 
were common in those days, and by that ascans aeqaired that skill and soperiority 
whh:h obtained tliem such ndodration afrcrwards. Godfrey, however, had often 
noticed the marked attention uddeb ReglnaU paid to Emnestine^ and sometimes 
a freling of Jealousy wouhl spring up in bis breast, which speedily vanished before 
the lively saDieS of the foraser, whose continual good temper and flow of spirits, 
rendered it Impossible for any person to be out of humour with him long. 

As years passed eway, boweiwr, the attention of Reginald increased,, and God- 
frey could no longer besltale to eonsbsde he loved her. But Ernnestine en- 
couraged not his passion ; and indeed, now that she was consdoos of his real 
sentiments, avoided him as much as< possible, and when in his presence, was more 
distant ihan sbe bed been in the habit of bdmiing towards hbn. 

The indignation of Godfrey, at what be oonsklered the treachery of Reginald, 
was unbounded; his mind was Inflaosedt and to such a state did his resentment 
carry him, that had it not been for the earnest persuasions of bis lover, he 
would have accused Re^nald of the foct, and demanded satisfisction. How- 
ever, with great difflenlty, he stifled bis feelings, aod although they did not 
meet so often as they had done, Godfrey's bebavfour towards hhn was very little 
changed. 

Many a restless night— many a pang, did these thoughts oocnsion Godfrey ; bat 
yet why should he fear?— It was reproaddng Bmneatine with inconstancy and 
deceit, if he suspected that she vrould encourage the passion of Reginald, and 
that she did not, and never would do so, he was convinced by the many affec- 
tionate assurances sbe made him. But alas !— even aUowiog them to be falthfrd 
to each other, of what would it avail them I They bad been told that they moat 



DOC love ; HMd tticy xMldMver.te «raliedr*Dd>tliAt lunb- daase (foe tocfa thoy 
coidd not lldp4biBia»git»>ftHirttfwki«ii<i «ltMei|Mar. 

ilow*flftall iiiB deiertke itefifB^lkftMlBBitbaMot of Godfiney^ wlieB Enneftine, 
widi lixriu «f dislriillini lolbtaeic Wm -igiil.Btg^^ 
hid ackoowMged ite low he •ntMlilMil for ber^.m! that the latter had, iA 

gpite of her pfa|«ni fair twn, aod «atreatlct» with vary Uttte heiUalioa^ giiien hia 
<op«etit te Reghiali% paying Ma a d dn eiaai la her, aad had, (with a slemoeiajMd 
iaflexttiXty whieh ihaoaald naa hatra ima^md ha waa capable of eatertaiaiag}, 
caaamaoded her to look vpoa Mb aa bar ftere haabaad. 

Gbdfrey wat thaaderstrach^^^^ie aoold aoaiealy hiUeia the eTidoaoe nC hi* 
senses ;*«om]d Re^oald, whan he had eter thought gaBeroas, aoble, and Im. 
fict, heyoad aUteproaeh^eatild he hare heen gollty of aoeh base doplidty, anch a 
cniel brtach of Wcndtlrtp ? It dM not seeai poaiibla I— Aod then die ooadnct of 
Httbert}— -that was eren more attanga andinexpliortle than all! That he should 
so reaffily consent to saeiiflce the happtaeas of Kmnastina to a bmb whoat she 
conM DOt lore, when he had so peremptorily refased to saaetioa the affection of 
himself and her, and had toined a deaf ear to all thatiliey conld nige, seemed so 
cruel and onjiist, tfcat Godfrey waa a long time before he conld bring bis aaiod to 
beBeire it. But he was soon cottfiaced; Habert and bis parents made him ac* 
qoahited with the d^erraloatfoo of the former, and to his sarprise, hi^thec 
expressed hts approbation Of the same, and commanded bim, on pdn of his dis* 
pleasure, to endeavour to forget Emaesttne, and to avoid her presaace as much 
as possible. In vain, both Godfrey and Brhneatine threw tliamsehres on tMr 
kmn before them, and implored dnm lo relent. Hi^ were iaasorable, and 
neither tears or supplieattons eoeAd prevail adth thenu 

We will not attempt to describe the agony of the lovers, but at length the grief 
of Godfrey subsided into rage agaiast Reginald, whom he <^germfaied to seek out 
and wreak bis vengeance upon hhi head. Bat Rflgirndd avoided him»aocl they 
nevermet. Soon after this, he aoeoaspaDled Lord n^rmond to the Holy Land, and 
Eranestine was informed by Hubert, that on his roluiii, it was his iaten^n that 
they should be united, and bade her forget the nnfoftoula passion she had imbibe^ 
for Godfrey, and to receive Reghiald with thatiifectioo which waa due to him who 
was to be her husband. 

The reason of Hubert's mysterions oandnot. In thnaiaUng upon Umaelf the 
disposal of Emnestine's hand, and why his choice should be so obstioately feced. 
on Reginald, will be ezplahied at a fotore period. 



CHAPTER IV. 

" Now murder, with his blood-stained hands, 
Stalks forth at midoight dreary hour. 
And pounces on the nnconscious travHler." 

Two years passed away— two years of Wtter anguish to the lovers— when their 
friends prevented them from meeting each other as mack aa possible, fiat ia spita 



the oontnry, opposition Mlp Miii It gN« tlMi ftfear, Md dMi» were ocr^ 




•bait apftil It 1U^iMd<i» 
■f tartldli«eH«UMttelBvtte;iligMMiai«»gMri(, loo kind, to pcnM 
ki^prMili^f M»«^ lAathekBovtAiilBf keMt iovMlherli. Aamteotbcrl 
Krdr oitMn Ua» aMil kMfi hh Mhte iiMKiilU taMUn to oo»- 
>f yo» slM^ ikMilht to Mm t^ Iri ogth of fg lwo| awtrehliDof 
ftif iiMp^ — i Ititort tig lo JM^tM'to Mid^a hairf> whentte 
twnaponilL I «a ewtris he «ltt aat tnra a deaf 
aarto aa» aiA iva 4m1I jaibe iMpniu" 

faliea, and oonfideDce ia bar — aiau» aa* tbiy pavteA tiavpicrlliaa they Ja 
teesfaf soaaaQineti 



o»aMilaraoldaiafci^ltttl»naalha< DaaanhcryVhai the no 



wi <te whiAhPwiaA miiwalj aialrfcaga iWaitA JwddedoaMy 
liafcOMiy tfHi OR aMMMl bsHla mm^kmrmk In " The fhtfUk^'wad Ptterp 
lilaa Iwat^ aawlag aaayaaii Hit ^tkm iaaiaitka af tfaa etaMMu»eat» aecnaA 
atrfaiMr«faaiB%ariHM^aalia99MitpaapiailRiaaa if te acpeGiBkhiB.of 
the arrital of bobm Important goest 

*^MilBf^ wwb ana % ■atpla mAp noa giaaa bhI HMfty la Uf KaiiuiaaB loofaa 
iM»atiMrlila Iha paitaaa, aad baA aaan teahfead av«| gaait pacaeat with 
the partlealan of what fvaf aboat to tAa plaia 

<« 80 yoa expect Lord St. Aiwolph to retomthla evaatog^and to gbH at yoar 
iaDyOB the way toldscaitle»doyoa?'' demanded a atnage, dark, flerpe4oohing 
aMa, enfdoped Id a hage aanttey who, wHb two olh »i, tfa a lly aaprepoeieariag 
in appearance, bad been there Ibr eareral hoaft) and had baeadrlnklag tery 

tttmj, 

Feter ftfncd I oottd iwry qiddriy , for the fOte* waa nana of the OMat oniioBlv and 
the penon who bad addMiaef Mbi» ar welt aa hii «wn eaoipaBiaiBy weM aaythiag 
bat preposaesdng ; the fieaee eye wfafcb met hit, hoiw i a e r v amii him fearM-af 
oiknd i iig Ihom by aol r e tui a ln g aay anewar to theia M i yft i Wi i y> ao^aaid,*- 

^Wa^ UalaidMd^ alwaya caM^ ham^ on hk war to hia aaitle; aa wa 



M 



«• Afyitee, fittt kind Aft «iM ii liMd Sl AMMlph^iML ?< 

<< Oh» u rich ai a prioce, is |x)ld m • lion, and generwl^ teMi^'* 



*<Aiid wiU|iiiiionUUp<ainteelM«» htjr mUi flu—i wIm nm 
aezt to the ficfl ipeiktt. 

«< Oh, ocw hU l^nliMp idU^Mr iw^ iiw l».i|g|il^ i^ 
«l d|7 to SkiUiMph CmHc" 

<* Hoir ftr Ib SL AMN»lph Ciitklpm tea r 

"Hwaph^" tbomfat rrtrr, anil hn m>i aimiiii iMiiiiiiu Iwk at 
*' manj, and yon art rather Inqulsitfre." 

<* About *— '-^ -"r,**!!? itngtfi. In aai niiiiit,'"! 
H^rets." 

'*Tnie/'ialdthf JUg—a^**! AiM fiiimm ^kbrnOLUmtm^^mmfrntdU 

<*No," replied Peier^ « hit lordship hates poof jaddHH^«> te 
B^^d.iriiftk hairaitedtelUM^fn^Mi^" 

^tat 



a0l iioUoe thcnv^aad Ate ajansr»iaaa af iJbaolbtr mm 

'<|laihiakaiMiSt.WtePQlpli mUhi km wmw ta lai aaiij <y !■ ||M 
iHwchls idaiaarswithbii^UliajhMld 

MKllha 



s 



4««^ ■>— t»jatatt wKMr>wrar <t difia—^ 4ha«|h ha is 



^H^^Hv ^V wm^9 pMM^ft a aWw MBH^KB iWv ^SWW^^H^^VB ^W VIVW ^^V V^V^W ^HB^B^V VHH^ViBHH^^'^^H^ft m ' 




LfltdSt. Aswolph shall he oara bafora the sao gilds the 
w hate often doaahafoie. WewQlllein 



^.If 4«f liiifcp ■siaiiV aaid «a 




ae SBNIVSITINE 0ft li'A^; OJt, 

sifloieiUf but that wo must stHl, Vk% nrnKNUWdfCi, thlnt f^ the UTodof 
•or feUow-creatttret ?" 

• '* Fool I" cried Rodolph^ <<hait thoa beoome a cowtrd after all ttiy years of 
daring ? What woald repentaace aifail thee now ? Is not thy life alueady for* 
fdted to the oflended laws of thy country* and thiokeit thoa an ignomlniwia 
dnth upon the aoaflbld woold acqidt thee of te deeds thon hast idready 'com- 
mitted in the eyes of the world ? 'Psha ! Stephen, thoa wert not wont to be 
80 cbid^en-hearted. Leaie oonscieace and remorse for monkish churls to prute 
aboat» we are men* and must have more sobstantial food to eilst upon than re* 
llgions cant. Bat here is wine," 

At that mooMnt Peter entered with the wine H^y had ordered. 

Rodolph filled their horns, and raising his own to his lips, said,— 

*f CkMnrades, a toast s— Here's snooess to all darfng undertakings.'' 

" Bra?o !" cried Gilbert, drinking oiT the contents of the horn, *' Here's soe- 
cMS to all daring undertakings." 

** What, Stephen, wUl then not drink that toast ?" demanded Rodolph « seeing 
that the forme's cup remained nnloMhed upon the taUe ; *' It Is a good ooe^ 
iMthinks. Cim, come, never dioop, man. What If thou art a villain, b It not 
better to be a rich vlUidn than a poor honest man? Money can purchase thee 
»j«oo(^nama| hut your honest uKn starve on the quality they pride themselvea 
upun, and aMvewarded wHh the seem of the world only." 

<'Bat,"saidSlaphaa, '« can money drown the voice of oonsdenoe? Ca&lucra 
cleanse the hands imbrued in the blood of murder ? Oh, no, f feel It cannot, and; 
by iMftven, I would sooner be the most wretched, poor, and abject bdng thnt 
miafortuneoaaMcreMe^andagidnbeinnocwtas oooe I w«, Hwu I wduld he* 
cMpe the poMasar of Iha whole of the troaaurssof the earth." 

''SiKe Uien «boa Oft tndeed so pesdtent," lali Rodolpb, sflriltag tronkaUr^ 
*< ppythee assume the monk's cowl, confess thy crlaBes, purchase abaolntloB, itti 
biMeihyself to the dolaler, and no doubt, aevera peMmee,wlth a mbttoffeof 
leVocrl^aiidboiyuophlstry,wUlsoonenAlthsetothemitie. H«! ha! bAt" 

<< Nay, comrade," observed Gilbert, <« no raiUery, Stephen is not so teoMi 
aaiftfil|terBow,whenhahaaaiiwidydaMiiao aMeh. BiMes, tUs booty mftf 
be obtained without bloodshed* Come, let us ratfM fbr awhOe, mmI tsik the 
overw ma Is eot • fit plaoa *v f»te fluetar, then mii^ be Brtewtts t 



WMs^waa wuada Itodolph aad OMbart ieyrted, «mI Stephen very w l e rtaet i y 
MowodthtoB. 

iiifriy li nsenrtilBu weie pertteriirty mA m iStiB ^nmbm, the 
havi^ in spite of the ol^eethm of H«bcrt,peniitsd to bitai present. Hi 

to iwt^ Jbariuleg qodftwy<ad m gi a a W ■ wiii g, <br wtU-dW he heow the 
ef te isiwariMii the m e rt laediewa ef the hMrtoieaeet aeSe* 
salt; UBlhrwes u^fidMHlie ihil aueiif^eg swto e s waei d he tfcefsarit ef la, 
Hewiver.ha made QfMm pg— A« itm ii jei siit migh» be his Isefiegs^ hm 
weuki so hr stIAe tfiem, at not to cause aey dMuftaMe 
TMs Oedftaj dld:vaty iee«ly, »r haheimaia up Ms 
iMid eMwtoer'te neet'llagMM the aame vhc had 
hUrteeeMT «■!»-« ssim msi JH|rtgiiiaaw^ caglBeMlM ctf the siraoge' 



TUB KOBBBK'S FOVNDI.IKO. 



wM ch had cuMd Urn lo nwnj BMlhi of ntierr. EroDutluQ bad nade kin 
promiM her thml be wcmiM not mcel Boglinld with icproacb, coDAdenl u ilie 
KM, tiMI whMi «ppetled to, Ibe latter poueaed bm kind ■ heart not to tongo U« 
•WD dalnu, latbn tbu ice bet nnbappf. Indeed ibe wu U ■ low to Kconnl lor 
Us condncl la the kSUr altogelber, which wat ao dUferent to that he had pi«-> 
Tion^r ihewu, ud ibc lonld not penoMle benelt bflt that he had lomc itnnser 
XMitne tru bla behwriour than at pnMnt appeared, or rather that he had some 
otber ol^ect in view, than nt at preeni knawn to anrbodr bia bhMcU. Still, 
allfaoaah at intemb a nj of hope bewed apon ber mind, BmacMDe oMld not 
ATCit bmelf of au iBpreatlon Ibat Mmellilng of a pdntnl nature ww about M 
bappen to her, that tome nelaucboly creol, lomc calamity, wai on Ike en of 
tak^ place, and whidi wonld be the oect^n of mnch ironhle to ber tod her 

' At the time appoMhed, Godftcf rimOM repenttd af thelukiAlelihehadba- 
pMad opoa Umael^ and ihrank Awn iheUn of meeting m a friaodi that au 
wbo bad apparenitjr acted with Mch deaeit ind MMhery (owatde hlok Bat bv 



Lord St. Aewdpb and Beginald did uriveihe hwliobrtaoceadadlablidRMti, 
■0 to be Mm to neet tbe latter ia a maanei whldt wanld bwe led any one to tip- 
poM thai Mtthlng had bappmcd to lotempt that (rieodebip wUcfc bad labdiied 
bKmeii tbea ftom thdt boyltb dftii. AiIn RcfliMld.be wm upr, lattadM, 
uiriM free ai ever, and irMcd hi* old ftiendi with all that coidlaUlr wUdt kai 
CMriMrkedUtdMrBcter, eodfrej wMthMdemrach i— beh»d expectad WMB 
No. 5 ^ 



34 mBNNK«TINK I>E LAGT ; OB, 

him certainly ^noe tone cuatf i ito i, bot oo tte oaBtmy* 1m im» ■■flliinf^ 
more free and roladle tbio erer« 

Eronestioe trembled at the oMeting^ aad, MoBUng, tamed aw^ her teoe torn 
Resinald, whom time had greatly altered and Im^iofed hi penooal appetcance. 
Regiiialdy howerer, did oot appear la noilce her emotioBy and adfandag towards 
her with gaiety of demeaoov* gently taolc her hand within hb, and in tonei of 
delight, said :^ 

« Wdl, my pretty little finmestiBe, after fighting the battles of my conntry, 
here I am retomed sale and soond, with a heavy parse, a light heart, and a bosom 
as fall as— eh ?— How'a this ? thoa art doll, my love ; as dull as a November dny/* 

Godfrey's bosom twdledwtth rage, and he was obliged to tarn away to conceal 
his feelings, while Reginald, in tiie same strain of levity, oontiaaed— 

" And thoa. Master Godfrey, beshrew me, bat thoa dost also look as though 
thon wert in a fitting mood to conuuH saidde. Hast thou oot a word for thine 
old firlend, nor a hand to shake a welcome ?" 

" Frimd I" repeated Godfrey, bitterly, bat roooUecting himself, he said,—** Re- 
^naM, I tcaat that diwimitaiiccs will prove that thoa leally art so, aad that 
nothing shall ever ^ve me caate to legrel Ihag laffered thee my hand as I do 
BOW, hi friendship and wdoooK !" 

As Godfrey thos spoke, he exteaded hia hand, which Reginald shook most 
heartily, and oontinoed-* 

« By my troth, this looks somethiog like. And now Eronestioe, I most lay 
siege 10 the fortneas oi t^y volabOity, aad^ Hke a biave soldier, I shall not with- 
draw my forces, till we have entered into some negodatioo of friendship. Come 
—not a word ; weU, this is indeed bat a sorry greeting for one who expected to 
aee thy flsce afi sonshine, thy toogoe teeming with love— fraught expresslona— 
thine heart all gaiety—and thy bosom all tenderness and affection." 

** Alas! is it then true?" sighed Emnesdne, while crunson blushes covered 
her cheeks ; " oh, Reginald, in pity to me—" 

*< Reginald," interrupted Godfrey, with great emotion,*' I had hoped that there 
never would have been any necessity for a scene like this \ I did really believe 
that thoa weri my friend, and heaven knows that hadst thon been mine own 
brother, I could not have felt ^ greater regard for thee ; but now, whea your own 

lips confirm the truth of but I wish not to meet thee in anger ;— I plead for 

Ernnestiae, for myself— hear me, and let thy tongue seal at once oar happinen 
or eternal misery." 

** Wei; tiien, my worthy proxy of love and beauty," ^acakted Reginald, by no 
means disconcerted by the manner in which Godfrey had spoke ; ** pr'ythee, an- 
fold all tiiott woBUst impart, and let me at once decide this important affair, for, 
^ flg^ conscience, Godfrey, tiiou art so serious tiiat thy very looks give me the 

foiasy." 

" Reginald," said Godfrey, after a brief pause, " Uiou sordy must have known 
that me and Ernnestine have long loved each other wltii an ardour that notiiinB 
can ever abate ; and yet in spite of our friendship, thou didst press forward thy 
Bitit to her, and by some strange means, whlc^ have endeavoured but in vain t» 
nnravelj succeeded in wiooing the consen o my grandfotiicr to become her haa- 
hfod; sorely this was not—" 



TSB ROBfiSRB' FOUNDLING. 35 

*• di, eb,"* i«^ghliglylatcnf«pted RcgiAakl, ** the Mci«f a oul at lut tktn, and 
•Itke very noiMBt wtMO 1 eipeetcd to hear my lofely little mUtresSy with an 
arch nniie and an faishiaatfaig Unihy gife me a bint abont the wedding ring, she 
tomidt a retreat^ and pots me and my forces to the io«t Bat you do me aii in- 
jQStSee, Godfrey, to snp|iote that I wonld erer have acted in the base and hypo- 
critical manner yon liave hinted at. Tis true, I love Bmootine^'tis also tme 
that I con fes a c d my aflbction, and gabied the consent of Master Hibcrt that she 
should become my bride— bat at tiiat time, atthough I will ada^t I entertained a 
Boqddon to that efltet, I linew not positifdy tliat yon and BmnestiDe were so 
fiMMfiyittachad to cne another} sinee then, Imwetec, I liaivehad time to reflect 
more upon the matter; and I resolved on my retom to EogUnd, to ascertain the 
tnMhy and If my hkM were cendrmedy to make a sacrifice» widch I most ackoow- 
ledge, will cause me the greatest pidn. But what sayest tliout my pretty Emnes* 
dae; wtti thou <|aite discard me fhNB thy bosom ?^ 

** Oh, nOy" eiriainifd Bmnesdnet fervently^ and her beautlAil eyes beamfaig 
widi gratitudoupon Reginald; *< as a dear friend— • broter, thou shall ever reign 
there, Mit I Iiaow thou art too generous to demand a heart which cannot grant 
dMemMw." 

^^Eaoughy Mr damsel," sidd Reginald, «*thoa hast placed a fahr vahiatlon on 
my friendship and generosity, thou shall now see whether I deserve those titles. 
Godfrey, thine hand.** Godfkey eagerly tstended hto hand, and the young man 
^irifigU In thai of Bnnesllne, oontlnted—'* I resign her to thee; Irelinqaish 
m the name of Htoiveo, aQ dalm upon her hind, and amy Heaven bless and pror* 
per yoor lives.'* 

«« Ob, Reginald,'' cried Godfrey, <« how shaU I ever suOdenUy-— -" 

'* No more," intempted Iht former^' I have no more than done my doty, 
aad reqdre no thanks. I will also, ifthovtUnhestdt, plead thy cause with Hu- 
bert, and endetvoor to persuade hki to tmnsfier that consent which he granted 
to me to thee." 

Godf^ and Bmnestine both attempted to speak, but they had not the power; 
and loekfag more tiian words can espress, they hunied out of the room. 

** By my troth," eidalmed RcgtaiaU, when they Imd gone, ^ I feel more joy 
it bean this idght, through what has tnmsplred, than if I had been made King of 
Eagiattd." 

*' Good evening to thee, my brave Bsqahe, *' at this moment eiehdmed a voice 
bdund him. The salute proceeded from Bodolph, who had sutomed to the inn 
alone, and bad been seated ftnr te Imi ftw ovules at n table behind where Regi- 
nald was standing. 

*' Ah," said the httler to Umsslf, and 8t»1lng,-*<< a stranger !— He's i black- 
lookhig one, howefer.* Good evering," he nddsd, ahmd. 

«* It Is a cold night, and the swmfhBs sharply down," sahl Rodolph ;'' how- 
ever,! have some of our host's best sadthare^and if that it not n good anddole 
for the lacleasocy of the weather, them ai« no choloa spirits in England. MHlt 
drink with me ?" 

'' Aye," s^ Regfaiald, taking the hoiB fh>m the robber's band, <« thou seemesi 
n JoHal fellow, and will not refuse tiiy request. Here's to that fickle dame, 
Fortoac" 



36 ERNNE8TINE D£ LAOY ; OR, 



« 



Marry, ao excellent toast," said Rodolpb— " bete'a Bane Fortuoe, and may 
she patronize all our undertakings. And U I guess priglit^ Hum art the c»qiiiie.of * 
Lord St. Aswolph ?" 

<* Tbe same/' replied Reginald 

*' He is a noble gentleman." 

** His country knows it." , 

<< And a bn?e soldier!" 

** His enemies have ever found him so." 

** Right ; thou too has met the foe methinks ?" 

"Aye, the eamp» ] may say, was my cradle, and the field of battle has since been 
my playground," replied Reginald. 

*' And a noble playground, too," returned Rodolph.— **Thott art a brafe Ud i— 
drink. Dost tarry here long ?" 

** He is rather inquisitive," thought Reginald, as he eyed more narrowly the 
robber's countenance.—" Oh, tici ; we depart by the crow of the cock to-morrow 
morning, for St. Aswolph Castle," replied he, aloud. 

<Mt is a noble edifice," sidd Rodolph ; ** I know It well. But it wUl be 
scarcely dayUght, and the depredations committed by the robbers in the forest, 
render it piudent of every person to be on their guard. Is not his lordship 
afraid tatravel in tfnU ridnity without being well attended ?" 

«« Afraid!" repeated Reginald, with a smile of contempt. « What, thinkest 
thou his lordship is so bad a soldier as to fear the Uwless marauder i-^Oh, 
no : although there are only two of ua« while we can boast of iustice and 
courage on our side, we set at defiance the outrage of a robber." 

" But thou mightest find a skilfinl sword wielded even by a villam's arm," said 
Rodolph, in a significant tone. ** But, come, the flask is empty/' 

" Then it must be replenished," returned Reginald; *< and, by my troth« here 
comes Master Hubert, just in lime to fill it, and to take a cup with us." 

At this moment, mine host of '< The Flagon," made his appearance. 

"Well, my old friend," exclaimed the good-tempered youth, in a tone of 
vivadty, " thou haet come at HuL I was afraid thou hadst forgotten there was 
such a being as Reginald at thine house. Come, pr'ytbee be seated, and we'll 
quaff a Jovial cup or two together, or there are no saints in Chiistendom." 

« I am sorry 1 cannot avail myself of thy offer, Reginald," observed Hubert, 
**for it is a long time since we me^ before to night, and I had hoped to have 
passed a cheerftil hour or two wHh thee." 

" Marry ! and what shaU hinder us ?" demanded the esquire. 

" Lord St. Aswolph," answered the innkeeper, " desired me to deliver to you 
this packet, which he should have left at the^ monastery of Snint Cuthbert, but 
forgot to do so. It contains a valuable donation and letters of import, which it 
is necessary the Abbot should see this night : his lordship, therefore, requests 
that you wUl hasten with all possible speed." 

" Ah ! a vahiable donaHon !" said Rodolph, aside, and hi^ eyes sparkling with 
pleasure.— " The monastery of Saint Cuthbert!— He must cross the forest, and 
If I depart immediately to my comrades, we can get thejre. before him. A sure 
aim, and the booty is ours I" 

Having thus spoken, Rodolph hastily arose, and left the house unperceived. 



THB ROBBBRB' rOUNDLINO. 37 

«*TMs mMon ft. In good troth, rtther luisetsoiialile/' renarked Begioald; 
boiMfver, U b bat a ihoit dlttaaee acroes the tbratt, and I shall he baA ttme 
CDOvch to pan a dieerfhl hour pfVfloat to retiring to rest* Gl?e me the packet, 
Hnbeit* 

The tetter compiled with hia reqneat, and then ohierfedy— 

^ Now 1 think of It, Godfrey haa to go pari of te way on hii retnm home, and 
he win, therefore, If yon Ifte, be your companion. It la a dreary journey, and 
II It a rough night; the wind btowa tremendonaly, and te gro«md Is cotered with 
anow." 

Beginald walked to the door and looked out. 

•* It it. Indeed, a boislercas night,** safal he, **bat I hafe a good oMntle to 
fUeM me from the weather; and youth and actlfity wQl soon speed me on my 
Jowney* 

** Wilt thoa not ride ?** Inqidred Hnbert. 

** Oby no,** answered Reginald ; ** my horse Is jaded enough already, and 
Godfrey goes on foot, I presnme: besides, (or sudi a short joomey it wonld be a 
pHy to distub the poor atdmaL** 

« Well, well, be It as thon wilt," replied Habert ; *• hot thon hadst better not 
delays and, here comes Godfrey, already to depart." 

Habert briefly informed Godfrey what Reginald had got to do, and of the propo* 
sMon he had made ; and Godfrey was very well pleased at the drcamstance, as 
be shoald have a companion the greater part of his way home, and he had a great 
deal to say to him, on the subject of the love between him and Emnestine. Re- 
ginald, haring wrapped his mantle close aroond him, him and Godfrey, vHthout 
any mm« delay, left the ion, and proceeded on thdr way with all the haste they 
coakL 

The snow continoed to descend rapidly, and the irind blew tremendonsly ; bat 
Bodolph, who had not lost a moment's time In patting bis design into ezecu- 
tkm, awaited alone in the way which he knew Reginald most para on his way to 
tiie monastery. 

** My speed has oatron that of my comrades," said he, ** for they have not 
arrived yet This Reginald cannot be tu off; so, I hope they will not tarry long. 
I know Gilbert is no laggard ; bat that consdenoe-stricken Stephen may slink off, 
if he does not keep dose to him^— Hark f-I hear footsteps approaching;— I will 
aeerete myself behind this dnster of trees, and watch the person or persons ap- 
proaching." 

Before, however, he conld do this, a shrill whistle vibrated in his ears, by 
which he was conrinced his companions were dose at hand. Almost Imme- 
dlatdy aflerwards they came op with him. 

«"Tl8 wdl we are met," sdd Rodolph ; <« I do not tidok It is rery likdy that 
oar Yicflm win escape as." 

'* We have no time to lose," observed Gilbert, « even jast now I caught the 
gUapae of a man who was coadng in this direction," 

<« Donhtlen, it is he we seek," said Rodolph. *' Hark ! fbotsteps approach ttds 
way }— let as retire." 

<« 1 like not this business," remarked Stephen ; '* it U cowardly for three to at- 

» 

tadradngleman; and-—" 



38 ERNNSATINB BB LACY ; OB, 

"Psba!— oat upon lhee« fool V hastily (Btemifited Bodo^b; << lUt U no Uoie 
for argament— aval !" 

The robbers retirefi ; and,, immcdiatdy atowaB(b» lUginald (wbo bad jut 
parted with Qodfrey, he hMring to go in a contrary direction^) approached the 
spot. 

** By the mass ! the 90ow peitpesi d^n rare(y» apd the wind wbistlet cather 
umEuaicaliy." iaadhe» thaklag h)f»«^t]0^s *< thiala cffiahUy ^t|^ vetf agreeable 
spot, aodlihe^ 0iMagh to be iii6ssted with Ihe dsapcrate ohaiacttn that Osmond 
and his gaag are represented to be. But I have got my trusty servant by my side^ 
and I will tberefo:^ push on my way wUbooit lear* * 

Jost at that moment he started back in amaiTUfnaBtf when he beheld Rodoiph 
standing in his path* with an evident determination to obetract if. 
i *' Who art tboa ?^aud why dost thou cross my path ?*' demanded Reginald. 

** My business is very briefy my bold sqoife*'' rsptted She robber,** and thy 
compliance most be as prompt— An' please thee, I'll just take charge ol the 
packet ihoa hast abonc thee, to bear to the monastery of Saint Cnthbert." 

** Very ciiril and obliging, certainly," returned Ri^&naid, with the stmoet cool* 
nels ; bnt, let me pass !" 

*' No hesiution/' said Rodoiph, resolotely i *' thoa shalt not pass until thorn 
hast given me the packet." 

** Hark ye, my fiae feUow," replied Reginald, *M am a soldier, and onnsed a» 
be treated so estverlierlf ; so, let me pass, or by the saints this trusty weapon shall 
soon put thee beyond the power of dlsobedlenee t" 

** Nay, then, siooe thon art so ohitlnate," cried the robber, ^ take the 
sequences t" 

With these words, he rushed npon Rei^iBald with great fury ; but the latter 
his attadL %flth cool intrepidity, and moMf uodoobledly, soon have ovetceme 
Rodoiph, had not Gilbert at that critical OMNneot started behind hioi, a«d 
plunglDg his dagger into his side, the wlbrtniiate Reginald snnk to the earth a 
corpse. 

No sooner was the atrodons deed eemailled, than the fbry lef tiie tempest 
seemed to increase : the wind howled IMghtAdly, and the snow was driven beisve 
It like a funeral shroud. Nature seemed to esprest its foAgnatlon at the crime. 
Stephen turned away from the corpse with a shudder, and covered his fboe with 
his hands while Rodoiph knelt down and proceeded to take from the vest of tbo 
unfortunate Reginald the packet which had been entrusted to him to convey to 
the monastery of Sahit Cothbert. 

*Mrhe booty fs ours !" exclaimed the sssatrin, at he held up die packet to tlie 
eyes of his companions ; *< fortune has smiled npon «, and the dtti has lieea 
well done." 

'* It is a hideous crime— a hellish deed !" returned Stephen, «* and justice will 
most assuredly overtake us." 

•« Silence, fool!" cried Rodoiph; " thoa art always ready #ilh thy cowifdl 
fears and 8ttrml8e8.^Nature must bare been In a sorry mood when she made thee 
a robber, forsooth." 

'' Cursed be the hour when villany mide me a monster !" said Stephen, with 
a shudder of horror, as he gazed upon the paUid and blood-stained features of 



THE ROBBEM* VOVKDhlVO. 59 

IfaBt anfMrtimite joQlb, who,tet afew ndmitet btfiore, bad been imbaed witb 
bedtt, Tigoiir, and TlfBdty. ** Oh, wbat yean of adeery, what days and nights 
of honor and remone ItKft I not endared dace ! The toraMats of hell hafe 
hannted my iiQlow ; deep bae been a adeery to me, fw «hen it hai brooght the 
mangledt bleeding forms of my fietims before my scared eyes, f hafe seen didr 
ifhasdy, piteims looks, as theyigiaved opoo me la tiM agoiles of deaft. Thdr 
dying cows liare r everber a ted In my eait ; ami myriads of esalUng fiends staiid- 
Ing by, hafe shonted, * Behold the Haody woric of thine bands, mviderer ! Qo 
oo» and reap thy reward,— endleu tormeat, ererlastlng damnation!' Obj Ro* 
dolpb, what gain, what money, can co m pe n sate as for an earthly hell like this ?** 

«< Tshat** ejaodated Rodolph, Impadentiy, ••tUs is the mere cant of chil-i 
dren and priestcraft.— Afray with coasdence! The trie heart of a robber Is as 
finn as a rock ; freedom is his fHend, aad Iwnesty liis football. Bat, let as away * 
—Hark !— By my troth, some persons are eomiag this way ; if ire are not carefol 
we shall be disooTered.->Qdck, qaidc— this way, tide way !" 

ITios speaking, Rodolph hastily fled ftimi the spot, followed by hhi comrades. 

On separating from Regfaiald, GodA«y tamed Into the way wldch led to the 
place of his destination, his mind loo foUy oocnpled with the ooearreaces of the 
day, for him to heed the inclemency of the weatiier ; hot, suddenly, a strange 
ford>oding of something wrong alMKit to happen, darted across his brain, and he 
re g re t ted that he had soflbred Regittald to go on his errand by himself, knoaring 
that the place was infested with robbers, aad that his sln^ arm coold not effect 
anything, probably, agidnst nambers. So stroagly waa this idea stamped upon 
his mind, that he tamed back into the path whidi the CMjitire had taken, tbfaiking 
to overtake bim, and being resolved to accompany him to the monastery and back 
to the inn, knoariog that his absence from the castle, on such a stormy night 
woold be excBsed, and that he conM be accommodated with a bed at the resi- 
dcace of his parents. 

With as mnch speed as he coold, he harried In the direction which he knew 
Reginald most porsne, and at length reached the fotal spot where the murder 
bad been oommlttod. Not notidng the corpse of Us iU^bted friend, he stomUed 
over it; and, what was bis horror upon raising himself up, to behold the blood- 
stained form of a haaian bdng. Shoddering with apprehension, he lifted It up, 
and looked narrovriy into the ghastly fSsalores of the murdered*mao, and his blood 

seemed frozen In Mb veins frith terror, whea he recognised the features of his 

■>-» — -■ 
incDQ* 

<« Ood of Heaven rheesdidflMd,<«frfaoha8done tills frigbtfal deed ?— Regi- 
nald, my friend !— alas ! alas t why did I leave thee ? Had I beaa present, my aid 
atight Imve rescued yon fhim the assasdn's marderons blow l" 

WMle he vras still leenlng over the corpse la intense agony, the sound of voices 
vfbraledontiieair,aadtheneKt oMmeat several villagers same to the spot,ooe 
of tbem bearing a lantern. They atartad back hi aanasement aad horror, ivhen 
tiiey bcdMdd tke blood upon tiie snow, and saw Godfrey supporting the body of 
themv^.Ted tea. 

*' Ab !" criel one «f them, who seemed to be a little more courageous thaa 
his fdl iv(s, *' rtet b Me amaaiag of this ?^A foul deed has been committed ; 
let us s mire tt i nur^jnr !** 



40 BRNNB&TINS DB LACY; OJRj 

** The morderer !" exclaimed Godfrey, with the most iflespreisible horror, and, 
tnrniog towards the meo, who, urged on hy the speaker,, now advanced to seize 
him ; '* 00, no, ye ut mistalteo ; I have hot this momeot disooveied hU bleeding 
corse'; be was my friend ; nnfortnaate that 1 was, not to be present to arrest tlie 
assassin's arm !" 

"Never m\nJ what he says,'* said the Ant spealser; ** this story he most tell 
somewhere else ; bat It is onr doty not to let tlie assassin escape. Behold, here is 
a sword stained with blood, which no donbt belongs to this man, and with which 
the infernal deed has most probaldy been perpetrated. Seize him, comrades !*' 

Godfrey had drawn his sword to be on his defence, in case he should be sud- 
denly surprised, when he turned back after Reginald, and upon discovering his 
mangled body, it had fallen from his band, and become stained with the blood 
of the unfortunate man ; and now, so horror struck was he at the charge which 
had been so unexpectedly brought against him, that he was completely petrified 
to the spot, and had not the power to utter a syllable. Urged on by the words 
of the man who had spidten, they rushed simultaneously upon him, and while 
some of them secured him, the others raised tlie corpse of Reginald in tlieir arms, 
and moved hurriedly towards the nearest town. 



CHAPTER V. 

<< When I repose beneath the sod. 

Unheeded in the day. 
Where once my youthful footsteps trod. 

Where now my head must lay ; 
The meed of pity will be shed 
In dew-drops o'er my narrow bed."— Byion. 

An universal dullness seemed to reign over the guests of The Flagon, (nolhwith- 
standing that the noble and esteemed Lord St. Aswolpb honoured it by beliig 
Its inmate), for which no person was able to account, unless it was the drorinets 
of the weather, and the inclemency, for the wind blew a complete hurricane, and 
the £sst driltinf snow quite blocked up the doors and oasements. Yet were Hubert 
and hit dame, Ranulph and Edith, together with Ernnestioe, seated around one 
of the flMMt cheerKil-looking fires that Aid could make, and each did their best 
to shake off the gloom which pervaded their bosoms, hot tlie eflbrt was a singular 
fidlure. Hubert, whose Jest was always ready at the tip of his tongue, made 
several Inefliectaal attemptt to be funny, bat his mirth was most dismal indeed* 
if we may Judge from the expression of the ooutenaBces of those around him» 
upon which the most heavy clouds of melandioly foreboding seemed to ban^, 
A dead weight appeared to hang upon the bemt of the generally contended and 
happy Ranulph, which he tried, but in vidn to banish, and it was very evident* 
from the looks and manner of his wife, that she partook of his feelings. As §» 



THK BOBBBR'S VODMDLINO. 



Ernncnliw, tbe Mcnied to be mlltM, md uzloiu b> be tltme, Md, notwlth- 
MuAng the Eipbdatloa wbkh bad titU dt; tikn place between her, Ooihtj, 
aod RegiDdd, (be ftlt wnplettlr vrrelched. Honlbte preMnttmeuu of, «be 
knew not <*hit, [d spite of her reason, bad taken posKidoD of her brain, and llw 
form of Qodfrey and Rcgliiald kept rising lo brr mlDd'i rje, in rbaracten wblcb 
eidtrd oalr aapiiah and rasptrnse. Her partlni wltli Oodfrtr tbat nlgbi had 
been eharacterlaed b; that aomiw and ■nwllIiagneM whkti tbe; bad ncTer before 
expetieiKrd, and which, nader all tbe drcamnancet wa* tbe more TCfDarfcaUet 
Lose bad the tad word " adtca" hong apon their Up), and manf were the ttanci 
tbej EBbiaced belbte tbej conld make np their mind* to •eparatc, and when thCf 
iGd part, ErotMitlne fell Bilfibe]! bad parted nerer tomeet^aln. F^n would ibe 
bare retired, and in the aolilude of btr own chamber gtven rest to tb«M fedlofa 
which weiihed her iplrita down, but the could not make an; it awna hl e eseote 
to ber kind frlenda, and therefore did ibe contlane, althaoRh tbe fteqaent M- 
lempts at conrertatlon onlf dtotorbed bcr. 

" Holf VirBtD,"at length obserred Maad, ai a lottof wind drove tbe nimr 
lolnUr agdoit tbe'caaemeut, and bowled Id dtomal goiti down the eblnaej ; 
— •• What a terrible al|bt ; indeed thote are be»t alT who are mMj honed." 

'* 1V«e, Hand," aniwertd her bunhaod, " and yet one migbl be iDClined to 
dnbt it, Kelng tbe gloom nnder which we all teem to inffCr here, in iphe of Uie 
erwkling of the cbecrfnl fire, which appears to reproaeb nt for oar Retf nga. 
W« mach need the pretence of Reginald, fortooth, lAoK mind ii never tad, and 



US jmNNCtTXffC OS hA.OW; OB, 

whose ready wit, and iBceaaant Iraojancy of spirits, is a never^liilSog anddole tor 
the horron* 

"Aye," saU Rnwlph, "It iiaa mifnrtiiaare that be tbaold have Ind to fooe 
upon this errand oo each a nlgbt, aad whea we to audi Meded hit tede^ ; 
Godl^tooy tar te porpoae of Mag Ids otapaidMi oo the md^hat Ml «8 
sooner than he otherwise wmdd hate done^ aad thoi onr tttHe faity hat laat 
two of its bett af h a r t," 

«Mt Is a Dighl Ml fit to torn a doff oat In,** said Edith, "Md the ladtwfll be 
frozen to death, or loti ia Che tnow. I cannot bat admowledge that 1 fe%k 
▼erysad.** 

"WUdi. by the aats^acMu to be a oomplalot which U general aaMngttns,'* 
retaraed Hnbert ; **bnt a mnrrlao to melandMily.— Fear not, m^nald andCM- 
frey wiil take no ham ; they are young and beaity, and the i n d eai ency ef the 
weather wm have ncy little effect upon them. Whatareftottyn%htt, ordrMng 
snows, when opposed to their young blood? 'Psha, when I was their age, it was 
not a rongfa night that wonld daatp my splritt. No, no;— bntsee, Idedare fim- 
nettine Is the saddest of as all, and siti there at gloomy and as dleat at Hwame 
htafy cahunity had befiiUen her. Thit wlU not do; I iantt see what eflbct oiy 
old son win hare opon ye :— 

"liOtcare ne'er appear 

Where good ftllowthip meets 
TIs mirth that gives birth 

To all Ufe's choicest tweets. 
The gloom of the tomb 

Salts no temper of mine, 
With Joy well destroy 
It In rich sparkling iHne 1 
More sack ! more sack I 'tis the best of all drink. 
More sack ! more sack ! let ns drink till we bUnk !" 

Honest old Hubert tang his lavoorite bacchanalian song with all hie a c cnt t oas a d 
hilarity, and teemed Indkied to follow the advice ^vea In the latt two linet, b«t 
il ftUed to have that eflbotvpon the permit prtsent that be ndtbed It thooM, aad 
ftading tet nothing appeared to be likely to hav« the power to dlidpate the ennid 
which pievalled hegarenp the attempt, and paid hit retpecta to the flask himself 
10 fkeqoeatly, that hit mbieand note at length glowed like a red-hot coaL 

Another hav iMtsed away, and there wat very little change to be obterved ia 
the be ha tlo i ' of the penont pietent, nnlett It wat indeed that thdr depretsioa 
of tplritt tceoMd to hiereate. 

rncclnahl tarriet," at length observed Hnbert, *' he ought lo have retuniod 
loog ere this, fbr the distance is no great deal from hence, and it It not the aoft 
of night for a person to loiter modi on the road." 

«<Thoa ait r%ht, Hubert,*' tald Raanlph, <* bat paihapt tomethlag otty have 
detained him at the Idonattery of Saint Cuthbert, or he auy have ttopped there 

■ntU the ttorm hat abated." 
^^Alati" tald Edith, *<that forest Is a dreadfol place, and should Reginald or 

Oodfrey be attadied by any of the robbert — ^" 
«Piha! niece," interrupted Hubert, Impatiently, "thoa talkest fooUthly|i^ 



w 

nns mOBBEES* T6UlCBI.ll«Ck 4M 

thinkctl tboaOiBMmd,oraayolfaUgMif9«MMldiBitmipC them? Oh^no^lhey 
look for higher gme^ where thcj may expect to be rewarded by a rich booty for 
theirtrodMeb Wow^if they were aay of them awaie that RfglMlrt is the bearer 
of toaMthhig valaabk to the Monafttry of 8ahu Cothbert, why, I might be ia- 
cliatd ta participate in thy foan ; bat chat they shoold gain audi kaowiedge ie not 
my likely. Ah I what it that ?^ 

Every person started on their feet, and looked aronnd them with anuoement, as 
aioad aod noDatnral laagh flbraied la their eaa» which seemed to proceed from 
immediately onliide the las, and the next asomca* astsaaga Ught illiuoined the 
spot, and the astonished gazers coold dlstfaigaisb a dark, shadowy form, which 
appeared gradaaUy lo dilate Itself, aatll It araae ah«ve the haman statore. By 
d sgsea sg the coontenanoe, which before had been ooaoealed from observation^ 
was revealed* and the persoas present beheld, with astoaisbment and horror, 
the frightfal ftalBres of Hal of the Qlea. His laige aad fleaedf glciming eyes 
were intently ioied apoa Rannlph de l^acy, who had immetotely lecogiriiedJam, 
and having ndsed his laog, thin, bony Angers, ha motlmied him to leare the Ian 
aadfoUowhhik 

" llfvleriaaf heiag, I eooMb" eaehumed Raaalph, at he diew hit swosd, and 
roshed oat, before any of hit friends, who were petrtted ta the spalg had tka 
power to o0Br to pieveat Wm« 

As sooB as he left the im, the soperaatoral form of the wiwd ilcd foom the 
spot, ODce or twice taming round to Raonlph, and waving hb hand for him ta 
follow. Onward went the wikl, mysterioas being, as Ihoogh saaried away oa the 
blast, which still swept wfidly o'er the earth , althoagh the snow had ceased to de- 
scend, aad the nsoon bant forth wHh nncommon brUBaocy, giving a ghastly 
aad ringdlar appearance to the s aow-oav er ed trees and the seeaevy 
Rannlph coaid not keep pace with- his mystsrlott» candacter, aad 
daws lie was ahnott entirely lott to his view, wbea the wfard woohl stop 
natil he had come within a short distance of him, and diea off again he wwdd 
stmt, wttfa the velocity of the w hiil w la d, and limhiag hollowly as he pco- 



Stffl, with the atoBOtloaarage and Inlrepidity, Raaalpbotatlnaed to follow, aad 
per D d fCd thai the wfmrd led the way towards the glea, team which he knew 
they coaki not now be at any great dirtaaee, and at leagtk they arrived at Iho 
entrance, whIA tiM rays of the moea, however bright, cooM never p en et rate * 
Hal of the Glen» faameaatdy vanished into the faiterior, and Ranalpb was k/t la 
the midst of the deate darkaen by which he waa sawoaaded ; bat still an* 
daanted, he e ud e a r our ed to grope his way, aad to reach the wiiard's emtn, 
where to maay years befcte, he had been a tptctator of the awfol aad mytScrioaa 
toroe, coti^ired op by the power of Hal. As he advaooed, straage auirmaring 
soonds appeared to fill the place, and sometimes an indistinct laogh waald 
vibrate in his ear, wUcfa ssade Mm start, aad espect ta see hhaaetf samoaded 
by the appalling forms which the cabalistic an ol the wisasd had before ex- 
hibited to bis eyes; bat all remained the saaie as before, aad Raaalph piaceeded, 
wfrb even lucreased coorage, oatU his atteatfoa was arretted by the fbUuwing 
wofdi^, which were sang in a strange aad sapemataral voice, every taae of whioli 
nukde a powerful imprenion npoo the astoaishcd listeaer :— 



44 SBNNXSTIiNE 1MB hAg)V ; OB9 

'* Who oomes here» 'nid darkneu and gUxMn, 
Who comes in the lileoce thai reigns in the temb ; 
Who comes where the wizard hb power doth show. 
And prognosticates weal, or sorrow, or woe ? 
Would he read the Boole of Fate ? 

Wonld he the dread future scan ? 
Let him quiclc his wishes state. 
Though to escape it be too late. 

From, dread Destiny'k fell ban ! 
Advance, adfance, this way, this way. 

In the magic circle stand. 
Ere he doth from this cavern stray. 
Ere the son shall summon day. 
By him shall Destiny's boolc be scanned !** 

The voice ceased, and all rtmai|ied in the same impenetrable darltness as wbea 
Ranolpb had first entered, bat still some secret impulse seeoicd to nrge him 
forward, and at length* after having advanced some distance farther, suddenly, a 
kMul peal of thunder shoolc the earth beneath him, a superoatoral light iUomined 
the place, and revealed to Ranulph exactly the same scene as he had witnessed 
eighteen years before; and there, in the centre of the magic drde, stood Hal of 
the Glen, with his eyes fixed with a searching gbmce upon his connleaaDce, and 
painting with his wand to the magic volume, on which were inscribed a number 
of mystic characters. 

«« Rann^h de Lacy," said the wizard, " wouldst know the Cite of thy son ?" 

** Ah ! what meanest thou, strange and awful being i" hastily demanded Ra- 
nidph, while an ley chill ran through his veins, when he reflected upon what 
might have happened to Godfrey and to Reginald, which seemed the more pro- 
bable, as the absence of the latter was so protracted from the inn. 

** Before I can answer thee,*' said the wizard, " thou must step into the magic 
drde. Wilt tiiou obey ?" 

Ranulph made no answer, but immcdiatdy stepped into the circle, and as he 
did so, the thunder pealed with redoubled vic^ence, and he experienced a re- 
petition of all the horrors which vre have described in the early part of this tale. 

** Now, then, strange behig," exdalmed Ranulph, firmly, but with much 
eagerness, " what of my boy ? Spealc, I abjure thee !" 

''Ranulph de Lacy," returned Hal, while a fiendish look of exultation passed 
over his features as he spolie, ** Ranulph de Lacy, once before did I read thee 
a page from the boolc of thy destiny, and shewed thee the means by which thou 
mightest escape from it ; but thou didst scorn my prognostications, and mocked 
my power ;— the first of these predkitions is now fulfilled." 

'* Demon ! fiend !" cried Ranulph, frantically, *' do not torture me by a sua* 
pense, more terrible than ceruinty ; If, indeed, thou knowest, at once convince 
me of thy power, by revealing to me that of which thou pretendest to have the 
knowledge ;— my boy, my Godfrey—" 

" b accused of murder !" was the reply. 

*' Of murder !" guped forth Ranulph, while cold drops of peoipiration began 
to gather upon hb temples, ** my boy accused of murder ; Impossible !— But he is 
not guilty. Ah !— thou didst not say he was guilty ?" 



A tardoQ grin paaaed over the hideout fetturee of the wisArd» Imt he wade oo 



** By the power you pretend to potsoss, and which I now helieve you do»r" 
added Ranalph^ '* tell me^ whom h my anfortnnate son accused of murderimi" 

** Behold !" answered the wizard, waring bis wand, and immediately there 
appeared upon the surfiice of the mirror, an exact representation of thai scenOb 
wherf Godfirey, after haring discovered the mangled reoulas of his friend,- is 
about to raise him in his arms, when the viUagcia rush in, and the foremost one 
accuses liim of being the assassin. 

" Reginald I^Qodfrey, my boy, the murderer of liis dearest friend *." cried 
Raoulph, as he gaxed with straining eye-balls upon the vision ; " oh, impos* 
^e *.— Away with it !— Avaunt, and seek not to distract me idth such base de- 
MoBS !" 

^Presumptuous fool!" exdalifiMi the loud voice of the wiiard, "again dost 
thou dare to doubt my power ?— Avray then, and awake to all the horrors of the 
trath!** 

As the wizard spoke, loud peals of thunder shook the place, the lightning glared 
in at every aperture wiOi awfhl fury,— a complete hurricane seemed to convulse 
the spot, and even above the noise occadoned by this elemental warftre^ terrific 
and unearthly sounds, Hke the crlet of a thousand demons rent the air, while 
hideous phantoms danced around with threatening and wrathful gestures directed 
towards Rannlph. 

The wizard of the Olen still remained sunding in the magic circle, while bis 
form appeared to dilate Itself to more than its usual size, and his eyes glared 
upon Ranalph De Lacy with the most frightful expression.— A deep horror fell 
upon the usually undaunted heart of the bowyer, and he was paralyzed to the 
spot, and unable to move even a mnsde. 

*' What infernal spell surrounds me ?" he at length found power to exdaim, 
'* fiend, wizard, if such thou art, do not rack me to madness, but tell me, 
why am 1 selected the victim of thy diabolical arts, and what wouldst thou 
with me ?" 

'' I would shew thee that which is in store for thee, so that thou mightest be 
prepared for it, and probably, by caution, avert the arm of Fate," answered Hal 
of the Olen ; " but thou affiectest to despise my power 1 Even now I tell tbee, 
thy son is the inmate of a dungeon, charged with the crime of murder !" 

*' Great God " exclaimed the agonized Ranulph, but no sooner had he 

given utterance to that sacred and Almighty name, than the wizard turned away 
with an expression of horror, and dreadfol groans reverberated through the glen, 
accompanied by thunder, and all the horrors that had befbre filled the breast of 
Ranulph with such abirm, and it was several minutes befora it ceased. At length, 
however, the wizard once more turned towards Ranulph, and in tones of solem- 
nity, said :— 

*' Mention that word again, and not only is my will to serve thee at an end, 
but thou mayest tremble for the consequences that will aocme to thyielf. 
Wouldst know more of Hal of ^e Glen ?" 
*'l would," replied Ranulph. 
** Haat thou courage to hear ? " 



^'Tlie coorage," repealed RuHilpb, acarBliiUfs " be mist indeed be a eoward 
who hat not tortitade to coDtemphue mblortnie, when, by so doing, his prodeaoe 
miyseegest tohim the meaae of eiadiBf It; tboa art no wizard if thoa doil tluia 
esttolMe the aentimeatt of Ranolph de Lacy*" 

"^EooQgli! I wiU e^en try thy boasted ooiirage,"retancd the wiiard, <«hare 
turiiieardi* 

'Raiyaiph in a noBeat palled up theeleete of hie tanic» and the wizard graspiaic 
fafir wiist, hM bis ana oter the tMddnm, and insmrdiattly pierced a Tcin willlL 
the point of a dagger. The red blood spirted fortb» and dropped into the caal- 
^n, and as it cBd so, a lond borst of sopernataral iaaghter sliooli the pUct^ the 
iUmes biased ap to a tremeodoos lielght, and myriads of snakes appeared to be 
twbting fhatastkally among them ; at tho sasM time, the wizard might be seen 
amid the bloe vapoury smoke by which he was sorronnded, performing a varietj 
of fflysitrious antics around the caaldreo, natil "hfi length tlie nidses ceased, and 
Hal no longer con^ned to indulge iu the mysterioos eetcmooy we hare been de- 
scribing, but turning towards Ranulph, leant upon bis wand, and fixed his looks 
eamcttly opon his coontenance. Rannlph never for aa instant evinced the least 
terror, but withstood the piercing glaaee of the wizard whh the utmost firmncan 
and indiftrenee. At length, tlie wizard again removed his eyes from Ranulph^ 
and after waving his vrand several timeaabove his head, he appeared to be drop- 
ping something in the cauldron, and at last gave vent to the following incan* 
tation;— 

** Spa^n of adder here I take. 
Poison from the enveuom'd snake, 
A murderer's heart, a dragon's blood. 
Hissing snake and poisonous toad ! 
A splinter from the gibbet tree. 
Where hang the mooldering bancs of three ; 
In the cauldron mix and bom. 
So thai we by the charm may learn 
What by Destiny's decreed. 
To be who doth onr answer need ! 
Sisters wild, who read his doom. 
Hither, hither, hither come ; 
From the realms of darkness, here 
Af my smnasoM qnick appear \ 

f« a moBieat the glen became involved in impenetrable darknesa, and for a few 
seconds Rannlph felt a sensation aa if the earth was yawning and shaking beneath 
htm ;-^hen forked Hghtning flashed fiercely aroand him» and appalling ^rieka 
vibrated in Ms tars;— direetiy aHarwards, the light returned to the glen, and 
BanvTph beheld a namber of IHghtfal lookiog hags dancing around him,— and 
their fiery eyes glaring upon him with gestures snffident to fill the stoutest heart 
#tfk horror^ - 8^ did Rannlph, however, firmly stand his ground, and unfliach- 
ingly ptepare* hiasself to hear the reaaU of this mysterious and awful adveninre. 

The wizard remained in the same poaitioa aa when he commenced the iacaa^ 
tatioo, and waving his wand, as the witches performed their mystic dance^ he 
thusexdaiflMd:^ 



THE ROBBBR^S rOUNBUMG, ^ 

*« HaO listen of the Bjntic art, 

£re fnm bcaoe yeali deptit; 

By the power which ye poneii , 

A power which morUds mnit confeM ; 

Tell what fortunes shall aocme, 
"To he who does thy knowledge soe*'* 

No aooner had the wizard given utteraooe to these wonis> than one of the 
witdict msbed forward towards the cauldron with a wild cry, aiid pmrfyim^^f^ 
xemral mysteriMS antics around it, in a ?oice harsh and disgustinf .^fi a frffaMng 
rmTcn's, abe gafe eKpnsrioa to the following woids :— 

" He's dooa'd, he's doonVI 

For sorrow and oare. 
His pea^ shaU be broiiea, 

His heart lioow despair. 
He shall weep« he shall weep. 

There's a curse o'er his hod, 
Oh, well may bis breast 

The abode be of dread. 
'TIS begun, 'tis begun. 

There's mch anguish to store. 
And maoy's tbe day 

Bre Uo grief sbaU be o'orl" 

Wbett the wHth had eondnded, she uttered a piercing shriek, and hnmedfartely 
rwBoUbei, and the wizard again waring his magic wand, tnnied to the ofher 
fri^tM hags, and said : 

*' Let it be gladness, let it be woe, 
AU that shaU befU him let him know !" 

Hie accond wiAch now kit her compankins, and afler performing tbo same 
If foood the cauUroa, sbHeked forth the foUowiag, in tones of appalling 



" E'en now io dungeon dark secured, 
Godfrey, his son, is safe immured ; 
Accused of shedding human blood, 
Joy, sisters, this to us is food ! 
Homan aogulsb, human woe. 
Is tiie greatest miss we know ; 
Shall hedle? shall he die? ^ 

That fn not teU—— 

Triud Wh-CH. Nor I, 

FoouTH WrrcH. Nor I! 

Hie whole of the witches; now shouted In cboras, 

*< Shall he die ? fhallhedle? 
That rn not leH^— oor I,<^oor I !•• 

Many demoniacal voices laughed einlUngly, and then the M^htfol fbrmt 
doaUy foded from the view of Raoulph de Lacy, and he was left In total 

At length, completely overpowerd by what he had seen and beard, he Oodift^ 
^roared to find bis way out or the glen as quickly as possible, and after cm^ 
riderable diflcnlty succeeded. The morning idr burst upon him lk«rti iod fO« 



X4S tBNNESTINEDB LACY; OR, 

▼iviBg, and tesded, in a great mtantt, to caUi <bc agSUtion which radced his 
mind. After what be had seen and beard in the slen, he ooald no longer indidge 
in soeptidsoiy as regarded tb#siipernataral character of the beings be bad seen* 
and when be reflected upon their awful prognostications, his honor was to greaty 
that be coold scarcely support himself. Aiudons to gaiftia confirmatioa or a con- 
tradiction of his worst fears, he hurried on towards the inn, thinking that pro* 
b4b1y Edith had not left there ail the night, and that he was more likely to have 
hfe "dbobts and his fears satisfied than at his own residence. 

'"' In the meantime, while these strange and appalling events were going forward 
in the wizard's glen, the agitation and alarm of the Individuals at '* The FlagOD,** 
at the protracted absence of Reginald, and tiwaoysterious appearance of Hal 
of the Glen, and the departure of Ranulph with him, increased to an alaoat 
insupportable degree^ Lord St. Aswolph had made several Inquiries after the 
former, and when Hubert Informed Urn of bis not having yet returned, aodof 
the apprebensioos be and the others entertained, he paused for a few momeati»— • 
and after apparently weighing the circumstances over in bis mind, said .— 

<< After all, I do not think that anything has happened to my faitbfiil Squire, 
and I do not marvel at bis oontlnoed absence, when we consider what a terrible 
' night it is, and the improbabiUty that the good Prior of Saint Cuthbert's would 
snffier him to return till the mornings Rest thyself contented. Master Hubert* 
he is safe enongh, I do believe me, and will be widl us by the break of day, for he 
ki^ws it is my wish to leave here early, and I always like to be paoctaal.'' 

Hubert could not make any reasonable oli|)ectioa to this ophiion, and, be* there- 
fore, bowed and retired ; and, on retnmiog to the parlour, he fdood his wU^ 
Edith, and Bmiestine, eahiblting the utaioet symptoms of uneaslneM, and, ap» 
jntentiy, in no mood to be consoled by the observations that liad been made bf 
Lord St. Aswolph. 

Bdith's emotion, since the departare of ber bnabaod in the company of Hal 
of tiieOlen, was even more violent than the others, and she resiited all the peii i' 
slons of bar mide to retire to bed» nntU lie should retora, and set her dovbti at reiC 

Hubert, Maad, and Emnetthie, however, at length, rethed to thebr chimberiy 
leaving Bdith seated by the flre-aide below, and listenfaig with the moft faiteme 
anxiety to the paoses between the Uasty thinking to hear the fbotstepa of Raaidyk 
approaching the hooae ; and fi^jipiently ahe wmt to the door and looked ont, bttt 
the f^-lidllng snow rendered all attempts to diaUngitisb any object abortive, and 
she retomed to her seat in desp^» 

We woBkl fidn do adeqoaie laatioe to the atat^^tf ErBoeitine's feeUngs dorinc 
this painful period, but we find it imposslMe : in lier breast, the most terrible 
apprdien^B of tone «|)piaaehlng evU had taken sadi deep ]»ot, that she found 
it quite imposrible to oonqoer them, and a hundred IrightfU images flitted before 
her fevered imaginathw. She retiiud to her couch.- 'tis true, but sleep was for 
some time a stranger to her, and she lay tossing ab(»ty anahle to find the leaat 
mnif)jetioB or^ase« 

'•Almighty God !*' she c^lacalatedy as with clasped bands, jibe raised her eyen 
towurds Heaven, «< 1 beseech Thee, in Thine infinite goodness and mercy^ lo 
aiwrt that danger which 1 apprehend, and to bring both Reginald and 
safelf here again," 



THB KOBBIBB' FOUNDLINS. 



rttUat ntbcT more tranqoUHud iRcr oflMog op tUi pia^i EnHtdaa K 
l«ltb iBiife W ileep, bat not to re*l ; do, tMou of tba ttoM UMWOiflBK 
dweriptioD huDled ber ptllow, ud bunMcd ber. 8be bdidd Oodfrer ud 
Ba^nald hll, corered with blood benettb tbo Dudemu ponUid* of tefcnl 
nflui ; ud tfadr looki of dying itaer were iMnielr Bsed open btr u tber 
dMcd tbdr eja In dcstti. Then the tenw duagtd, Md ibe nw Ood(k«T i^ 
din, but bit bee mn pdc. Mi ajM beuMd fwth k wUd ecpmrion, and blr 
Boibi wen muaded with bwn fcf«"- She tried lo iwh fonmd ud mbncc 
Um, bn la u Inttut the wtUi wcwd to doK, ud ha wm bUden from her 
view. The terror cmted bj all dmn Rwoke her, Md Ab mrHd ap la the 
bed, while coU dnpi of penplndoa itood npoD bei ICMplei, ud ber Hali 
tnahled tMenUr. SmiMoij. aimafe aolw, which leeaed to praeecd tttm 
Ik. roon briow. iBOte her 9m. It wooded Xhe the HiTMariM «t mmm' 
MOM oil ptnoa M t( la *ep 



"Good OodrcKdriMdBnMMlH, M iba iptWf frM h«r eonch, ud piv< 
cMted to drcN bcmlf hMtUT--" What cu hMc h^paoed ? 
* HsbMit MBkwhhvpr^tulMMAeMndifMreued, oadwllhtreMhUas 
•tipeihebapai 



■•WMi* to Ite mm dMiMMd MtprariMi, ud evtila HM MBMblnR p«ll- 
criH tad Met ptexHrt the me tlBic haTiog a lUfhl prcMRteenl of the 
^a^^Aa hMiM m wtf m he treMbDog Unbi woold ellow bar, 'Mo iba 



aO BftHHmiNS DB I^OT; OS, 

puloDroftheiu, when, in iddifiaB to Hobm, hU wUe, Rnolpb) Md hii Efilfa.; 
the foand •nam] MiMge ncB. Lord St. Atwolph m* *ba preKot, nd MMned 
to be TtolMUf igHued, utd the whole uaw preMoted Oe patat ewhAM." 
Edith, Hnkart, tad Hand wore wrlBging their taadi with tin WM rioleDt dc- 
aofgiief. 



dcpdwd a( the on rf •Vw^ or motfani, Hd Mwd pilnc opoa Klfaninid bar i% 
iMf Bed MMuenwt ad conlffnitlaa. 

" For HetKn'i ake," dw U lail loaai men gt ti to tutioiilkle, " wb*t b the 

DttulBgonidii Oh,H)lN*il pim™t*^>*">")i>PP«°*dI'' 

•■ POr IhV pfWMt, mr love," nid RMripb, wb wm acwe firm tbu uy of 

I palea^UiUpifBlKrcd, " do not, [ implarB 

: tgaiM to tbr cbaabei, nstil Ihli Reoeial a|ito- 

r DQI be M bad M we at pment ■pprdiend.'* 



tf ! [ beg of Aee to M me koow the wont ; 
i, ol that I u* MBriBced, oi whr til ArM 
prcHioBi of HUcr gilel ? If thoa naUj ki*eft 
t alwiiTi eondder dm~ob, liutantir mtak to 

lUnnlpb wu loo much beiMdeted sod KplUed to nuke uy immediate replj. 
Hid the ottcn covid only gtM farther exprestlQii tf tote utd graua, to the 
•Bgnuh whldidiMiacted tbdrbotoms. ' .> 

Lord St. Aiwolpb, In the midat of (be aaietion wblcb evidCDtly tonneuted Ua 
nUad, could oat help gulns opon the trembUng damael with looks of the moat 
nDbovnded admiration. Her bcanlj, aod ttae iasoceiice and ilmpUcitj of her 
manneii, had nade a powerfol inpreuton upon blm from the firtt ntomeBt he 
h*d beheld her tioce the bad ipiaog into womaobooil. Never, he thought, had 
be. leen to loTelf a being before, and now, ai ihe appealed to her ffteodi, with 
tha cbritlal t«ari gltotBDiug like pearU la her ezpreuire ejei, and ber exqnijitelT 
BOBlded boiom throbbbg end be&iing with the rioletice of ber enoflon, he 
felt a Knwlioa dart throu|h hit heart, which he had nerer before experieoced, 
and nbicb be wm at a loai to naderttand. 

" Sweet Buideo," he uid, addreuing her ia a tone of the ntmoit kladneu, 
" tw'jthee< do ai De Lacy bath reqaetted thee, until then ha>l •mBcientlr calmed 
ttar.afpitbeulMM to hew with forHtade the painfhl newi." 

;"H|lwd," retained Eraneitliw, with a look of olTended pride, "and thiDkett 
ttoaiopaot^ of my ooorage u toinppoee that Iwonld not bare the fortitude to 
bear the Iratb I H^ lupeue reqnlret i Ear greater portion of reiola^on. Bac 
diDQ R&ueat to lell Sle, Rannlpb— Hubert— Hiod ?— Oh, tarelj tbli is cnid." 

One of the nnnge men *ho had been hitherto conieriing with his companions 
In aft ander teqe, and bdng more oOldoiu and leu Bcrupnloat than the reit, onr- 
bearing Emneiline'g bit wordi, in tpite of Ihe slgnUcaat looks nf Lord St. 
Atw»l«h,«ald~ 

•■ Marti, iMDf bdr, and there hai been a deed of blood committed ; Re- 
■■■M, the 'iqaiteafUalonlibip, bat bees batbaroutlfmurdeied'." 

"Mardercd!" lenaawdlheborroc-rtrack m^den; mclyitcaDiiotber' 



FHE. KOBBEK'b FOUSBLIflO» 51 

<'Aki! ilia«a»«iB0,''cliiiMi in lbeleltovWMiBpaii»iM«U tether. 

ter tf et f Miiit apin tlie^iflfareiu ponMs in iIm raooi, at U 
ki iMr io»l» « mtrarlioH— U lUa tiMcklBff MscrkMB ; but 
is tlic B« | M P Wi o« «€ every fMMm'a aamauntt»«be mw iMfliilBly acMiirma- 
tteofHwilrHiifaltnith. ^ 

flbi lamhitachairf pwpwit liirlf fif<Mi Aliii; wjobfiit tbt effect tklt 
iMdMieDoe lUMl «pon bcr, and tbiAlita MkfroliiidaivlbtUft «iic^ 1^ 

*>Wfiliilil wodefeil— UoiNftMte yott* b*-Ob, 4aDdi .who .kaa deae thia 
awMdaed?*' 

^'By the omm, fra«Wy/' ahaarvad the aMM frwlaai IndhrMaal, who had 
ipakaa bdore, '^wehavagacthemrdeiwaafBeiMNi^t maawlwfaoai^ntons 
Hiad the Wdyof the ■liiilwMi liaain the fineal, aad laQk:.hia Mood-thiiity 
anassln ott the tpec lt<i 

<* HeM, Mewr It aiia p wd hto io Hl ih l ^ hasttyy^' apeak noraoothar wordy 
I liiBManil ihiT, ITrBiwUliiiu agohi 1 aotaaat thee toxtfan the afpMijr whidtfilh 
thy bosofDy and to wait another time for the Informadon thou askeil. Xhoa eaaac 
be^oney" he cootinaedy taming to the villagers^ ** remove the corpse of the uo- 
fcrtunate yoath to my caatle« and I will attend to this dreadfnly this paiofol 
bosfaieaa anon. Away." 

At this moment, Edith recovered, and lool[ing with a vacant stare around the 
roofliy ahe ahrieked forth in accents ol aiadiieBB. 

** Where Is he ?— Where is my boy, ^y son, my Godfrey ?— Wretches, why 
have ye dragged him from his wretched mother ^-«Who dare accuse him of mar, 
der ?— 'Nay, I heed not your menaces ; the voice o! innocence will be heard'!— 
Who dare, I repeat, accuse my son of shedding the blood of Ids fellow-creature ! 
-Monsters 'lis false ! But fool that I am to appeal to wretches whose hearts 
are anaeqoalnted with pl^ } The spoit i» the misery of thehr fellow-creatures 
—their food, the blood of thohnaeent l**-D» aat hM mal^^i^et me fly to him !— 
They would murder him ; they woM rah the patania of their otily son ! Where 
is he?— 'Ah ! see they have dragged him to a doogeoo, they have loaded his limbs 
with fetters. They will not listen to his protestations of Innocence ;— they vrlll 
tryldm for tbb frightftil crime ; they win magol^r trMes into Isets, and triumph 
in splUlDg the blood of one whose nobleness of tottl they cannot equal !" 

^ Bear her hence, good Banulphi" ssdd Lord fit. Aswolph, ** thou seest Oiat 
the intensity of her (ieetlngs has affected her senses. Alas I It Is Indeedavad Job, 
but fiear not, Josdce will prevdl, and whoever Is the actual perpatrktor of this 
fiendish deed, an all-mercifhl Providence will not suffer them to escape rt» 
tribation, or fell to throw His protecting shield over he that Is accused, and asake 
his innocetice maulfest, if he Is not guilty of the dreadftil crime wNh which be is 
charged." 

" My son, my wretched, my unfortunate son," Maculated lUmolph, with a 
burst of agony, '< thy father would answer for iMne Innoceoce wKh his llfd. 
The name of De Lacy never yet was tarnished, and cannot be now in the person 
of my noble Godfrey." 

With ihese words the distracted Hanulpli removed Ms vrife, who, again over- 
powered by the strength of her fcellDgs, had once more fMnted. 

In the meanitmc Ernnestine, who, the moment the dreadfbl intdHgence was 



52 BBNNXSTINS DS LAGT ; OBy 

iBptrted lobcr, ted fell as Iboagii she had baaa swck kf a ttwiderbolt, re- 
■idacd panliatd to tlM spot, a lifiag statae «f lMin«r aad aalaoia^^ Nor 
had ahe bean able to vliar a waleaoes to fiplairt wat tbt C0M tiMt tlw aocQia^ 
ofOodlreyof thaaiarderof ibemlbrlaBalaaMlill-fttadRcflDald hadbadnpoa 
her. TUftlapeliMtioii— thii tUeiioa— wat aMMv ftlftnn^nc <hMi the aMtt phias- 
zicd eiri a a i al i oBf would have heea, and the honor of eveiy one pment waa to* 
crcaied when Aetofeed poor old Maad to take her ana, and lead her away^ aa 
paasife as aa iafiuit» ai thoHl^ Ac waa ooconidoat of what wai takiag plaee, aod 
her eyei sdll filed opoB ?acaoqr« She wai reni^ifed to Jier chamber^ where ahe 
reaulaed in the laae meiaacholyatate of apathy the whole of the day> 

Shortif aftirwafdty Loid St. Aawolph qidtted the Inn, and, at Us request 
Saaalph aciooaipaaitd hip, Jearing poor old Hahcit and his wife to give free font 
to the heaty sorrows which filled tbdr boaoau, and to look after Edith aoid 
fimaestlne, who both rfsiaed in a atala of insendbility* notwithstanding the 
chimrgicaiskllof oaeofthe ptons numks, who attended Croat the Monasteijof 
flaiat Cnthbcst, 



CHAPTER VJ. 



> 



,'» 






*< Who dare aocttse me of this hellish criaie. 
Which efen fiends wonld shrink from doing? • ** * 

Where are yonrproofii?^Are they on my brow? - ' '*'*' 

Mof»they in my actSoas befe^or fiaee? 
Yo« cannot bfli^ fbrward a aingle scrap— 
A partkia— Mf , not an alam of efidanee. 
That shall profe Bsegoilty. ByHeafenl 
(The gidltywreteh hath not the ooarage to appeal 
To that tribnnal}*! am innocent !" 

It was aiidnight, and there were none of the robbers in the large raalted apart* 
It aader the easUe of St. Alwyn, where these lawless men asoally aa sc in 
bkd, bat Rodolpb, and the other two mfltans, who had been ooneemed with him 
In the anuder of the aafsrtanale Reginald. Osmond ahd the rest of tfie gan^ 
had gone apon one of their predatory dcaralOBS, and left them in charge of 
the place* 

Rodolph and Gilbert pashed the fiask merrily roand, and seeased to be arodi 
dated, bat Stephen sat apart from them, and was harried fai the same gloom and 
thoi^tlUnem, which had lately characterised him. He s e em ed to pay no atten- 
tion to the noisy refdry and coarse ribaldry of his associates, hot was eridently 
entirely abaoibed by the palafnlaras and intensity of his own thoaghts. 

•< Wdl, by my troth,** at length obserred Rodolph,— ^* did ever any one aee 
each a doD, effminate fdlow as Stephea, in this world ? Here hare we UMy 
oMt with a booty tiiat ooght to make any one rejoice, aad althoogh It certainly 
cost ns a little more trouble than we at first calculated npon, we hare managed 
it 80 well that we are safe from all sutpidoo ereo, and oar captdn is also Igno* 



THE robber's focnolikg. 58 

ant of our gtiiK; and ft Bkely to remain so, u Godfrey de Laey U accoted df 
perpetrating the t/Amt, and Bfroog evMocci of hb guttt are Bkcly to be broa^*t 
agtfAst Ma ; aikd Jrec, Voriooth here Is 8^eo ftetting and alarmlDg hlatelf ai 
mobb ad !f lie were already under (be hands of the executioner.** 
'"^Tt is not the fear of punishment in this world, Rodolph,** said Stephen, 
''hot the goading, the racking torments of a gnOty consdeooe. And this last 
dreadful deed, has added to it a wdght which appears to hear me down. 1 try 
to fly from thoughts, bnt try in vain ;— 1 seei( to shut ont the hitage of the mnt- 
dertd mim— but no, his blood-stained form pursues me whererer I go--his pafe 
and distorted features are ever before ndne eyes.** ^ ' 

"Idiot!" crMd Rodolph, *'thb eowardlee will betray us, if we do not adopt 
means to put and* end to it Haric ye,— If thou perslstest in this sickentng weak* 
ness, thou mayst surely repenf.** 

*'SMy, Rodolph, if thou dost not thysdf fter that an all«searching Power 
above will make known thy guilt, and bring thee to puatshasent, thou hast 
Botbii^ to liear from me. I feel how dreadftd it Is to five, with nil this weight 
•f guilt upon my soul, but yut H Is even sdll more tertlble to die. But this youth, 
this unfortunate Godfrey— su rely then imn S naS | t h en wilt not suler him to perish 
•Qthe scaflbM, the hinooent cause of oar crime?" 

«<That must be as Us J ud ges deerae, and as his evil star prevails,** returned 
Bodolph, *<H shnll not, at anyine, be my task to tell his accusers that he is 
ianocent, and that we are the gnllty pertoM.** 
Stephen graaaed, and turned away his head with an expression of horror. 
•^For my part," a b ss t l ad Gilhart, *' I think as Rodolph does, that it Is very 
iBcfcy fbr us that the s us ^isJen haa lillea upon this Oodlrert m «hou callest him, 
for should we be discovefed, urn should simid verylttla ohauee of escapbg the 
bands of Justioe; our captihi, as we have Ame the deed In secret, and kept the 
booty to onrsehrei, would not protect us, but on the contrary, would be more 
Bkdy Idmself to d^vcr us up fior our treachery.** 

•« Villain! thou saycst right," exdalased a kNid voice from behind, where the 
nUBans were seated. They started with terror at iu well-known tones, and look- 
iag up, behcki Osmond, thdr captain, surrounded by the other portibn of the 
fsmg, standing behind them, and gazing upon them with an expression of the 
greatest Indignation. 

'^Miscreanttl" continued Osmond, after a pause, **i have overheard every 
•eoteoce you have uttered ; comrades, say, what punbhment do those merit, 
who torn traitors to our cause, and deerive their captain ?" 
** Death !'* was the toud and universal reply from the robbers. 
** Away with them to confinement," commanded Osmond. 
Rodolpb and Gilbert now fell upon thdr knees before their captain, and ab- 
Jectly prayed for mercy, while Stephen covered his face with his hands, and 
■fsmrd to besnildiog more from the horrors of guilt, than terror at the disooveiy 
vrhich had been made by their captain. 

«' Base, cowardly wretches," exdnimed Osmond, as be looked scornfully upoo 
the fobbers $ " and dare ye beg for mercy, who have thus so shamefully broken 
tbrongh our rules. The shedding of human blood at any time, unless it is un* 
«7vidable, I have strictly prohibited, yet ye not only disregard this, hot, more* 



44 KBNNS8T1NS BS I«itOT; <M, 

" Who comes here, 'nid darkneat lod gloom, 
Who comes in the sileoce thai reigni io the tomb ; 
Who comes where the wizard his power doth ahow^ 
Aod progDOStioitcs weal, or sorrow, or woe ? 
Would he read the Book of Fate ? 

Would he the dread future scan ? 
Let him quick his wishes state. 
Though to escape it be too late, 

From, dread DeMiny's fell ban * 
Adtance, adfaoce, this way, this way. 

In the magic circle stand. 
Ere he doth from this caYcrn stray, 
Ere the son shall summon day. 
By him shall Destiny's book be scanned !** 

Thefoioa ceased, and all remaiped in the same impanetraUe darkness as when 
Rannlph had first entered^ bat still some secret impnlse teemed to nrge him 
Ibrward, aod at length* after having advanced some distance farther, suddenly, a 
load peal of thunder shook the earth beneath him, a soperoatoral light illumined 
the place, and rerealed to Ranulph exactly the same scene as he had witnessed 
elgblien years before; and there, in the centre of the magic circle, stood Hal of 
the Glen, with his eyes fixed with a searching glance upon his conntenance, and 
pointUif with his wand to the magic volume, on which were inscribed a number 
of mystic characters. 

<* Rannlph de Lacy," said the wizard, " wouldst know the fiOe of thy son ?" 

** Ah ! what meanest thou, strange and awful being ?" hastily demanded Ra- 
nnlph, while an ley chili ran through his veinSf when he reflected upon what 
ndgfat have happened to Godfrey and to Reginaki, which seemed the more pro- 
bable, as the absence of the latter was so protracted from the inn. 

** Before I can answer thee," said the wizard, *< thoa must step into the magic 
circle. Wilt thou obey ?" 

Ranulph made no answer, but immediately stepped into the circle, and as he 
did so, the thunder pealed with redoubled vi(dence, and he experienced a re- 
petition of all the horrors which we have described in the early part of this tale. 

** Now, then, strange behig," exclaimed Ranulph, firmly, but with much 
eagerness, ** what of my boy ? Speak, I adlJure thee 1" 

<* Ranulph de Lacy," returned Hal, while a fiendish look of exultation passed 
over his features as he spoke, <^ Ranulph de Lacy, once before did I read thee 
a page from the book of thy destiny, and shewed thee the means by which thou 
Slightest escape from it ; but thou didst scorn my prognostications, and mocked 
my power ;— the first of these predktions is now fulfilled." 

« Demon ! fiend 1" cried Ranulph, frantically, " do not torture me by a sus- 
pense, more terrible than certainty ; if, indeed, thou knowest, at once convince 
me of thy power, by revealing to me that of which thou pretendesi to have the 
knowledge ;— my boy, my Godfrey—" 

" Is accused of murder !" was the reply. 

«< Of murder I" gasped forth Ranulph, while cold drops of pecspiratlon began 
to gather upon his temples, *' my boy accused of murder ; impossible !— But he is 
not guilty. Ah !— tkou didst not say he was guilty ?" 



THK BOBBBB8' FOUNDI^IIfO. i$ 

A tardoo grin passed ever the hideoos featnrci of the wisard, bnt he auMie no 



**By the power you pretend to possess^ and which I now believe you do»." 
added Ranolph, ** tell me, whom is my anfortniiate son accused of mardeiiqgi" 

**Behohl!" answered the wlxard, waving his wand, and immediately there 
appeared npon the snrfoce of the mirror^ an exact representation of that soeae^ 
wberr Godfrey, after having discovered the mangVd remains of his friend,- is 
abont to ndse liim in Ids arms, when tlie viUagers rash in, and the fbreoiost one 
acenses him of being the assasshi. 

'* Reginald !— Godfrey, my hoy, the murderer of his dearest friend !" cried 
Rannlph, as he gated with straining eye-balls upon the vision ; ** oh, impos- 
aible !— Away with it !— Avaont, and seek not to distract me with such base de- 
lusions !" 

^Presumptuous fool!" ezdairfiBd the loud voice of the wisard, '* again dost 
thou dare to doubt my power ?— Away then, and awake lo all the horrors of tlie 
truth !- 

As the wizard spoke, loud peals of thunder shook the place, the lightning glared 
in at every aperture wiA awftii fury,--a complete hurricane seemed to oonvolse 
the spot, and even above the noise occarioned by this demental warlkre, terrific 
and unearthly sounds, lSki& the criea of a thousand demons rent the air, while 
hideous phantoms danced around with threatening and wrattiftal gestures directed 
towards Ranulph. 

The wizard of the Glen still remained standing in the magic circle, while his 
form appeared to dilate Itself to more than its usual size, and his eyes glared 
upon Ranolph De liacy with the most frightful expression.— A deep horror fell 
upon the usually undaunted heart of the bowyer, and he was paralyzed to the 
apot, and unable to move even a musde. 

** What infernal spell surrounds me ?" he at length found power to exdaim, 
** fiend, vrizard, if such thou art, do not rack me to madness, but tell me, 
wliy am 1 selected the victim of thy diabolical arts, and what wouldst thou 
with me?*' 

" I would shew thee that which is in store for thee, so that thou mightest be 
p rep ar ed for it, and probably, by caution, avert the arm of Fate," answered Hal 
of the Glen ; '' but thou affectest to despise my power ! Even now I tell thee, 
thy son is the inmate of a dungeon, diarged with the crime of murder !" 

"Great God^— *' exclaimed the agonized Ranulph, but no sooner had he 
given utterance to that sacred and Almighty name, than tlie wizard turned away 
with an expression of horror, and dreadfhl groans reverberated through the glen, 
accompanied by thunder, and all the horrors that liad before filled the breast of 
Ranulph with such alarm, and it was several minutes before it ceased. At length, 
however, the wizard once more turned towards Ranulph, and in tones of solem- 
nity, said :— 

" Mention that word again, and not only is my will to serve thee at an end, 
btit thou mayest tremble for the consequences that will accrue to tbyaetf, 
Wouldst know more of Hal of the Glen ?" 

**l wAuld," replied Ranulph. 

** Hast thou courage to hear ?" 



4A KiDunBfTiifs JMI i«aot; 099 

'*fht coarage,^ rcpetltd Raaalph, MMBfiiUf, '' be 911st indeed be • coward 
who baa not tortitiide to contemplise mbfortene, wbeoy by 10 doing « bis prudence 
mdyiaggetttoblmtbemeMe ef eiedkif ^i thoo art no wixard if tboa dott ttei 
estlMie tfie aentimesta of Reaalpli de Lacy." 

^Enoagh ! 1 will e^n try thy boaated coorage/' retomod tbe wisacd, ** bare 
iMaearBi* 

'RaiMlpb In a noBMif palM up Ibealeeae of bla tnnlCy and tbe wisardfraapiac 
bfC wtUt, beM his ana over tbe cmMioo, and ioMMdiately piereed a tcin with 
tbe point of a dagger. Tbe red blood spirted fortb^ and dropped into tbe cani* 
^n, and aa it ifid ao, a lood bimt of snperaatnol langhter aheob tbe phMe* tbe 
flittiei blated ap to a treaseDdoaa belgbt» and aiyriads of snakes appeared to be 
twfetlDg fbntastkany aoMNig tbem ; at tbo saaM tiase* tbe wizard might be seen 
amid the bine vaponry smoke by which he was sorrounded, performing a variety 
of mysteriotts antics aroond the canldrao, untii "ha length tbe mdses ceased« and 
Hal no longer continned to indulge in the nsysterious ceremony we have been de- 
scribing, bnt taming towards Ranalph, leant apon his wand, and fixed his looks 
earnestly npon bis countenance. Rannlph never for an instant evinced the least 
terror, bnt withstood tbe pleieiag glance of tbe wisard wHb tbe utmost firmness 
and indifl^renee. At length, the wiaard again removed hia eyes from Rannlph^ 
and after waving bis wand several tiasea above bis bead, be appeared to be drop- 
ping sometMng in tbe caoldron, and at last gave vent to tbe following incnn* 
tation r— 

*' Spa^ra of adder here I take. 
Poison from the envenoro'd snake, 
A murderer's heart, a dragon's blood, 
Hissing snake and poisonous load ! 
A splinter from the gibbet tree. 
Where hang the mooldering benea of three ; 
In tlie cnnldroo mix and bom. 
So that we by the charm may learn 
What by Destiny's decreed, 
To be who dotb oar answer need ! 
Sisters wild, who read his doom. 
Hither, hither, hither come ; 
From the realms of darkness, here 
At my snmaaons qniek appear * 

In a HMMaeat the glen became involved in imfienetrable darkness, and for a few 
seeoods Bannlpb fislt a sensation as if tbe earth was yawning and shaking beneath 
bfm ;— then forked Hgfatning ilaabed fiercely aronnd him» and appalliog -shrieka 
vibrated In Us ears;— dbreetly a Ha r w a rda, the light returned to the glen, and 
Rannlpb beheld a nambec of fHghtial looking bags dancing around him,— and 
their fiery eyes glaring npon him with gestures sufficient to fill tbe stoutest heart 
#mi horror.. Stil^did Rannlpb, however, firmly stand bis ground, and unflinch- 
ingly p^parod blBMclf to bear tbe reault of this mysterious and awful adventure. 

The wiaard remained in the same petition aa when he commenced the incait* 
tatloo, and waving his wand, as tbe witches perfonned their mystic dance, he 
^nisexcUdmcd:— 



THB ROBBBft'8 WOVimiMmn -4Jf 

<< HaU listen of tfae Mjvtie art, 

JBre firom beaoe ye all depart, 

Bjr the pofier which ye pomsMt 

A power which mortals matt confesa ; 

Tell what fortunes shall accme, 
"To he who does thy knowledge sne." 

No sooner had the wiaard given utterance to these words, than one of the 
witehes msbcd forward towards the cauldron with a wild cij^ aod f^^^^^n r^^'^ 
aereral mysterious antics around it, in a voice harsh and disgostiflf ^ a cmiUng 
inveB's, she gave expression to the following words :<— 

<< He's doom*d, he's doosa VI 

For sorrow and oare. 
His peace shall be brokea, 

HIi heart Icoow despair. 
He shall weep« he shall weep. 

There's a curse o'er h'ls luaad. 
Oh, well may bis breast 

The abode be of dread. 
•Tis began, 'tis began, 

There's mch anfoish ia store, 
' And many's the day 

Bre Ma grief sbaU be o'er r 

When the witth had eonchided, she uttered a pierdng shrleir, and im m ed ia t el y 
Tioitlied, and the wfxard again waving his magic wand, turned to the other 
fHghtfBl hags, and said : 

" Let it be gladness, let it be woe, 
AU that shall befil him let him linow !*' 

The second wileh now Jelt her companions, and after performing the same 
my roond the cauldron, shrieked forth the folfowisf^ in tones of appalling 



« E'en now in dungeon dark secured, 
Godfrey, his son, is safe immured; 
Accused of shedding human blood, 
Joy, sisters, this to us is food ! 
Human anguish, human woe. 
Is tiie greatest Miss we Ireow ; 
Shall he die ? shall he die ? 
That f 11 vol toll —— 

Tniao Witch. Nor I, 

Fourth WrrcH. Nor 1 1 

The whole of (he witche<i now shouted In chorus, 

*< Shall be die ? shalf he die? 
Tliat PIl not teH^-oor I,— uor ir 

Many demoniacal voices laughed eiultingly, and then the tHft^tfol ftffiBi 
doaUy foded from the view of Ranulph de Lacy, and he was left hi total 

At length, completely overpowerd by what he had seen and heard, he 
soured to find his way out ot the glen as quickly as possible, and atter 
Merable dlfllculty succeeded. The morning idr burst upon Urn UtA V»d V0« 



l!48 JJENNESTINEDB LACY; OR, 

▼Iving, aud tended, in n great meanre, to cal# (be agltlttion which racked hia 
mind. After what be had seen and heard in the glen, he ooald no longer indalge 
In scepUdtniy as regarded tfa^snpemataral character of the beings he bad aeeii, 
and when be reflected upon their awfol progoosdcationSy lila horror was lo great, 
that he coold scarcely support himself. Audons to gai»A coofirmatfon or a con- 
tradiction of bis worst fears, he harried on towards the inn, thinldng that pro* 
bbbl;^ Edith had not left there all the night, and that he was more nicely to have 
Kt^^'dbobts and his fears satisfied than at bis own residence. 

' in the meantime, while these strange and appalling events were gclng forward 
in the wizard's glen, the agitation and alarm of the individuaU at **Tbe Flagon," 
at the protracted absence of Reginald, and the jnysterions appearance of Hal 
of the Glen, and the departure of iUnulph with liim, increased to an atoiost 
insupportable degree^ L«ord St. Aswolph bad made scTcral inquiries after the 
former, and when Hubert infbrmed Mni of his not having yet returned, and of 
the appreliensions be and the others entertained, he paused for a few momeatt,— 
and after apparently weighing the circumstances over in his mind, said .•» 

" After all, i do not think that anything has happened to my ftitbfol Squire, 
and I do not marvel at bis oontinoed absence, when we consider what a terriUe 
' night it is, and the improbabiUty that the good Prior of Saint Cnthbert's would 
suffer him to retom till tlie morning. Rest tliyself contented. Master Hnbert, 
be is safe enough, I do believe me, and will be wlA us by the l>reak of day, for he 
Jk^ows it is my wish to leave here early, and I always like to be piioct«al." 

Hubert could not make any reasonable o^ectioD to this opinion, and. be, there- 
fore, bowed and retired ; and, on retoming lo the parlour, lie found liis wtfe, 
Edith, and Bmaestiae, exhibiting the tttmoet symptoms of uneasiness, and, ap* 
parentiy, in no mood to be consoled by the observations tliat bad been made bf 
Lord St. Aswolph. 

Sdilb's emotion, dace the departare of her husband In the company of Hal 
of tbe^ien, was even more violent than the others, and she resitted all the penoft^ 
sions of her vnde to rctife lo bed, anlil be shoeld retora, and set ber doebis it veil, 

Hubert, Maad, and Eimiestlne, however, at length, retired to their cbamben, 
leaving Edith sealed by the fire-slde bebiw, and listenbig with the most interne 
anxiety to the peases between the Uast, tbioking to bear the footsteps of Ranol^ 
apfiroafhing the bease i and ficggnently she went to the door and looked oat, bal 
the fast-lidfing enow rendered all aHempts to diatingnisb any ok^ abortive, and 
she returned to her seat In de^Mdr. 

We woold £dn do adeqeaie jMtloe to the alal^^f Eranestine's feelings durinc 
this painful period, but we And it imposdble : in her breast, the most terrible 
appr^ension of soae e ppj oi rhin g evO bad taken sadi deep root, that she fonad 
it quite Impossible to conquer tbeai, and a haudred frigbtfbl images flitted belbre 
her fevered imaginatiow. She retired to ber coKcb.'tis Ime, but sleep was for 
some time a stranger to her, and she lay tossing aboat, unable to find the least 
conmlatlon or^ase. 

" Almighty Ood !" she ^nlated, as wtth clasped bands, jibe raised ber eyea 
tonvds Heaven, ** I beseech Thee, in Thine infinite goodness and BMrcy, to 
avert tiiat danger which I apprehend, and to bring both Reginald and Ofdfrer 
s«felr bare again." 



TB> BOBBBBa* FOVNDLING, 



FmUdr imtlinr more tnnqslUhed kftcr oflbdng tp IhU pn}cr, BnuMdaa it 
length took (a ileep, bni not to ml ; no, tModi of the «0(t utHoifl^ 
4e«criptioa bunled ta ptllow, and hutWMd her. Sbe Midd Oodftcr aad 
Ro^inld Ml, MTcred with Uocid beaeUh ihi nerdmoa po^u^i of Mreral 
rafl«D* ; taA their loolu of dflng (fOB; ivere Utntdr fistd open ber U tber 
dOMd tbeiT era In itiA. Tlwo the Meno Aaaged, ud ihe mw Oodfrcr itOI 
■Bre, bol Mf bee ma pale, hli ejae bcaiaed forA a wild expNados, and blr 
Hub* wen nanadad wlifc bcary fcMen. She tried to mb forwaid and embface 
hlai, but tn an laataot the walli aeeaed to doie, aad he wti UUea tmm ber 
view. The terror eteaied b; ibl« dreev awoke her, aod (he nvttd ip la the 
bed, wUIe ooU drofa of penpinttoa etood apan her tespln, aad ber Uvha 




Jti aba dneaoded, the aewda o( 1^ were repeaud, aDd the beard B 

• to the Mel dlatraeiad Bpectdeaa, a^ eertria *M auai i Ufcn paitt- 
ti the anM Hme bartas * iltfit prcaaodaeat of the 
a «M M b(T trtMbltof llnbe woold aliaw k«, Ms tbe 
MftT 



M> BsnnsiTiNB in laot; ok, 

pulonr of the In, whm. Id aiUltteii to Hnbett, fall wUe, HuAlpfa, ud hii Edilb,^ 
■he (bvad Kicnt itnags nea. LoH St. Aawolph wh Aa pneot, nd *eaned 
to be tMmU; agHalcd, lod Ott whole (cene prMcated tte gnUBt coalnias.' 
Edilti, Hofeert, nd Ifaad wve wriBging titdr handi wltb tbe bom riolcBt 4c- 
mooHrutou if grief. 

ErnMftai im» ta twnrtihwtiBd alKned, thn ftir • nonent or two she wm 
dep(ii«d o( the nw of ^Mch or motkni, ud Hood ^ling opoD ilfuond ber i^ 
inplSed — leaewt n< t i )M i tfu »Bo u 

" Per Honn'i nka," ^ it lut fonnd MreDglb to titlDaltte, " what li the 

iiiiwiliH iif iMif Ob, mUmb,! pnTjon* what bM happened I" 

*■ For lh» inwiiiit. af Ian," nid RiBilph, wVa «M »oi« firn than Uf of 

■ pakm^UiUpi^Krcd, "donot, limpUn 

: tgaJB to ibr chaBber, nsUl Ihb genenl igiM- 

r oat be B bad M we U pment •pprdiCDd." 



Xjl 1 bag of Oee to M me know tbe wont ; 
d, of tkat I av ooaftaeed, or whi all tteae 
preidoai of KHei grid f If tboa reillf hneat 
t alwsji eonddet thee — ob, iutaotly meal tD 

ered aod igitaled to ualie aof imnedlate reply, 
■od the olbcn eonld oiiiy give Amlier etpreirioit by lobg and groaaa, to tbe 



Lord Sl> Aawolph, la tbe mldit of tbe afflictiaD which evideotlf (oimented bla 
arind, goqU not help gni\ag npon the trembUDg damiel <ritb looki of the moal 
tutbosBded admlntiaii. Her bcantf, utd tbe iacoccDce and ilmplidty of ber 
laannen, had made a powcifnl Impreaiton upoa him bom tbe firtt nament fac 
had beheld her ilnce ibe had ipraag iulo wooiaDbood. Nerer, he thoagbl, bad 
hcieea to loreljab^g beroce,aiid DOw,a( ihe appealed lo ber friendi, with 
tb« Ehrjual tear* gUtleoing like pearli in ber ezpreadTe ejei, and her oiiiniriteli 
uonlded boaom throbbiag and hearing with the violence of her emotioB, he 
felt a lenaation dart through hit heart, wlilch be iiad nerer Ixfore ezpeiknecd, 
and which be waa at a loaa to andenlaiid, 

" Sweet Ui^eD," he aid, addreulog her In a tone of tbe ntmoat kiodDcaa, 
" pc'iftbee do u De Lacr '"''i reqiteiled thee, nnlil iboa haat rafflcltntlj calmed 
thf.appcche&^nt to hear with fortitude Ihe painfhl newt." 

." Hr laid," returned Emneatine, with a look of offended pride, " and IhinkeM 
DnOi Mpanj^ of mTMuageaa to (uppoae that I wonidnotbaTe tbe fortitude to 
bear the Intb I TU* iupeaae requirei a bx greater portion of reioinllon. But 
tboaittueattotellne, RaoDlpb— Habert— Handf— Ob, gnrely cbli is cmeL" 

Doe of the Kiange men who bad been hitherto conrtning with bli conpatiiaDi 
InanmuUrlOQe, and being more offldooi and leu tcrapnloni tbaa the ie<t, over- 
hearing Ennettlne'g lail word*, in ipfte of tbe ilgnUcant looks if Lord St. 
Aiwrifbitaid- 

f Many, yowig ladjr, and there hai been a deed of blnod committed ; Re- 
giaald, the 'aqnlre ofhii lordihip, bat been barbarouilf murdered '." 

"Mordered l"icrtamad tbeborror-itriKkmaideni snidy it cannot be!" 



PHE kobbek's fousblino» 51 

«<Akii i(ift«a»tane,''clriiBaiinlbe<eUav%«0ia|Mtik>iM«Ut«fe^r. 

BfBiMiliBo CHtlKT trctjmMdspiii tlie^Uftrcol ponMs in iIm rooiu, at if 
ikm vMdd nid In iMr io»l» « mtrarlioH— •< tkit tiMcklBff MscrkMa ; but 
ia tbc B« | M P Wi o« «€efair fanon'a €am»mamm,^ittmwtomp}tmly a cmfirma- 
tiwi of llwdraitfal tnith* ^ 

flbt caoglMatachairt* pravwi JMoelf froM AHiag^ inobfnB tlK effed this 
ttiHigwinri hid mpm facr» >nd<iiimlii« fffceoHmkinHwlih^ giic^ ilie cried--^ 

»<R^ilaaid Mwiefeil^^Uiiiiifiilii fott* b*-Ob, 4aDdi .who .toi d^M thk 
swMdBed?'' 

** By the dmms, jamgiair;' rt w i ti d tlie — n frw ltii IndirMwa, mho ted 
•0ok8B bcibfe« '^ iro have gtc the sv4eiv«fDreiiiNi^ I ma awl mf companions 
«Mul yw Wdf of the ■liiilwMi Aiae in the fintil, md, taok-hto Mood-thincy 
miiiiin on the apt. It<i '- 

" Held, Mewr It aiie p wd hto io Hl ih l ^ hasily^^apaak neraoothar wofd» 
1 yeaifaind thee, BmeHliiai agafci 1 aetMai thee lo cafan the afpmjr which filb 
thy boaoniy aad to wait another time for the informadon thou aslceal. XhM eaaat 
begone," lie cootinoed, taming to the villagers, ** remove the corpse of the un- 
fsrtanate yoath to my castle^ and I will attend to this dreadful, this painful 
boainesa anon. Away." 

At this moment, Edith recovered, and lool[ing with a vacant stare aronnd the 
room, she shrieked forth in accents ol JBniBeas. 

■* Wliere Is he ?— Wliere is my boy, ^ly son, my Godfrey ?— Wretches, why 
have ye dragged him from his wretched mother ^— Wbo dare accuse him of mar, 
4er ?— Nay^I heed not your menaces ; the voice of ionocence will be heard'!— 
Who dare, I repeat, accuse my son of shedding the blood of his fellow-creature ! 
—-Monsters 'lis false ! But fool that I am to appeal to wretches whose hearts 
are maoqaalnted with plly ? The s^eit la the misery of their fellow-creatures 
*their food, the blood of the^nneeent l«^Do aat hM me )r^hei me fly to him !— 
They would murder hfan ; they woM Mb the paftMa of their only son ! Where 
is he?— Ah ! see they iiave dragged him to a duogeon, they have loaded his limbs 
with fetters. They will not listen to his protestations of innocence ;— they will 
^1iim for this frightfol crime ; they win magol^r trifles -into Isels, and triumph 
in spitnog the blood of one whose nobleness of tonl they cannot equal !" 

*' Bear her hence, good Banulpb," sdd Lord ?t. Aswolph, ** them seest ttiai 
ilie Intensity of her (ieetlngs has affected her senses. Alas I it Is indeed a vad Job, 
bot fear not. Justice will prevdl, and whoever is the actual perpatrMor of thto 
fiendish deed, an all-merdfal Providence will not suffer them to escape rt» 
tritniUon, or foil to throw His protecting shield over be that is accused, and asake 
his innocence manifest, if he Is not guilty of the dreadftd crime wNh wMch heis 
charged." 

''My son, my wretched, my unfortunate son," ejaculated Ranulpb, whh a 
burst of agony, '* thy father would answer for tMne iunocence wKh his Hfrf. 
The name of De Lacy never yet was tarnished, and cannot be iaow in the person 
of my noble Godfrey." 

With ihese words the distracted Ranulpb removed Ms wife, who, again over- 
powered by the strength of her fbelings, had once more fiainted. 

In the meantime Ernnestine, who, the moment the dreadftxl intelHgence was 



52 BftNNXSTINB DS LAOT ; 01^ 

laparted lobcr» ted fidt ai Iboagii she had baaa swck ^ > tMaderbolt, it- 
wdBcd panliMd to tlM spot. • Ibiag ttttia «f lMin«r aad a«tM^^ Nar 
had she bMB able to vliv • walflaoe. to liotal im tbt C0M tiMt tlw iocM^^ 
ofOodlreyof tha Border of the nlbrlaBale aid IU*ittadRcfioald hadbadapoa 
her. Thi«ilapeiMtioa--thUaUeiiee--*wataMMiea]anBlaithaa the sMit phiaa* 
acd eiri a wat i oof wouhl have heea, and the horror of every one pment waa ia* 
crcaied when Aetofecd poor old Maad to take her ana, and lead her away, M 
paitive as aa iafiuit» ai the^h Ac waa oacoaacioai of what waa takiag plaee, aad 
her eyea sdll ftied opoo vacaoqr* She waa reni^ived to Jier chamber^ vrhero she 
reaulaed in the MBM BMlaaeholyatate of apathy the whole of the daf. 

Shortly aAirwafdt» Lord St. Aawolph qidtted the Ian, and, at Us reqaestb 
Saaalph aciooaipanitd hiai, Jearlng poor old Hahcn and his wife to give free vent 
to the heavy sorrows which filled their boaoau, aad to look after Edith aad 
firnnastlaet who both re»aiaed in a atata of SnsensiUli^, notwithstandiag the 
chiniriicalskilof oneofthe pions numks, who attended Croat the Monasteijof 
flalat Cttthbcrt, 



CHAPTER VJ. 



.t 



« It. . 
»•* Jl. 



*< Who dare aocttse me of this hellish criaM, 
Which even fiends wonld dirink from doing? - ** * 

Where aro yonr proolii?^ Are they on my brow? ' '*'* ' 

Mofe they la my actions helSsM or fiaee ? 
Yon cannot hfli^ fbrward a ahiglo scrap— 
Apankle naj, not an alam of evidence. 
That shall prove aMfoilty. By Heaven I 
(The guilty wreteh hath not the ooarage to appeal 
To that tribnnal}*! am innocent *." 

It was atidnight, and there were none of the robbers in the large vaalted apart* 

It aader the castle of St. Alwyn, where these lawless men nsoally as s em 

bkd, bat Rodolph, and the other two rnfltansy who had been concerned with bias 

la the anuder of the nafertonaas Reginald. Osmond ahd the rest of the gang 

.had gone apon one of their predatory escorslons, and left them in charge of 

the place* 

Rodolph and Gilbert pashed the fiask merrily roand, and seeased to be aradi 
elated, hot Stephen sat apart from them, and was harried fai the same gloom and 
thoi^tlUness, which had lately characterised him. He seeased to pay no atten- 
tioatothe noisy revelry and coarse ribaldry of his associates, bat was evidently 
eatlreJy absorbed by the palafnlam and intensity of his own thoaghts. 

•« Wdl, by my troth,** at length observed Rodolph,-^' did ever aay one see 
sach a doD, eflhaiaate fellow as Stephea, in this world? Here have we lately 
met with a booty tiiat ooght to make any one rejoice, aad althoagh It certainly 
cost as a little more trouble than we at first calciUated apon, we have managed 
it 80 well that we are safe from all sutpldoo even, and oar captain is also igno-> 



THE robber's focnolikg. 58 

• 

anr of our guiR, and Ii Bkely to remaia to, u Godfrey de Lacf U accoted df 
perpetrating the etfnie, fend strong evM^cci of hb guttt are likely to be broo^^l 
agtfftst Mm ; atkd JreC, llbrNiotli bere It MpAieo fttcting and atarmlng hiasdf ai 
mneb as !f lie n^re already under (be bandi of the execntioner/' 

^ Tt is not the fear of punkhment in this world, Rodolph," said Stepbea, 
« but the goading, the raeUog torments of a guilty consdeoce. And this last 
dreadfol deed, has added to it a wdght which appears to bear me down. 1 try 
to fly from tiioughts, bat try in vain ;— 1 seek to that oat the bitage of the mitf- 
dered man— but no, his blood-stained form pnrsaes me whererer I go--his pafe 
and distorted features are ever before inliie eyes.** ^ ' 

" Idiot !** crMd Rodolph, *< this eowardlee will betray as, if we do not idopi 
means to pot and* end to it Hark ye,-4f tbov pertiitest in this sickeiitng weak* 
nets, thoo mayst sorely repent.** 

*^fhj, Rodolpb) if tboa dost not thysdf fear that an atl-searcbing Power 
above will nmke known thy gnllt, aad briiif thee to poolshttent, thoa hast 
Bothii^ to fear from me. I fed how drea d f bl it Is to five, with all tfils weight 
•fgnittopoomysoal, bolyotil Is even sdll OMNPe tcrtiMe to die. Hot this yooth, 
this onfortonmc God ftcj lardy t i ma w msl ■el | t h on wilt not soler him <o perish 
on the scaflbM, the tenoeeiit caaseof oar crlom?** 

*<That most be as Us Jadgsi deerae, and as hit evil star prevails,** rctomed 
Rodolph, **H shall not, at aayiaie> be my tatk to tell his aecoters that he Is 
ianocent, and that we are |he gallty pertoas.** 
Stephen g r ta a ed, aad tamed away hit htad with ao expressiao of horror. 
«^For my part,** ahterva^ Qilbfft, <M thiak at Rodolph doet, that it U very 
ladryfer at thai the t ot piiita hat iiMea apoa thit Godlffty,at thou callett him, 
ftr thoald we be dltcovefol, wa tkoald ttaad very lula ohaaet of escaping the 
hands of Jastioe; oar caplihi, at we have Ame theieed la taeret, and kept the 
booty to oartelvct, woald aot protect at» bat oa the contrary, woald be more 
Hkdy UBMeK to d^vcr at op fior oar treachery/* 

*< VUUn; thoa tayetl right," exclaimed a load voice from behind, where the 
raflant were seated. They ttarted with terror at iu well-known tones, aad look- 
log op, behcki Osmond, thdr captain, surrounded by the other poriibn of the 
gang, standing behind them, aad gadng upon them with an expression of the 
greatest ladignatlon. 

''Miscrcantt!" continued Osmond, after a pause, *M have overheard every 
lenteooe yoa have ottered ; comrades, say, what punishment do those merit, 
who turn traitors to oar cause, and deedve their captain ?" 
*' Death!'* wat the loud and univertal reply from the robbers. 
** Away with them to confinement,*' commanded OsoKMid* 
Rodolph and Gilbert now fell upon thdr knees before thdr captain, and ab* 
Jectly prayed for mercy, while Stephen covered his face with his hands, and 
aetBMd to be suffering more from the horrors of guilt, than terror at the disooveiy 
vrhlch had been made by thdr captain. 

** Base, cowardly wretches," exclaimed Osmond, as be looked scornfully upon 
the fobbers ; " and dare ye beg for mercy, who have thus so shamefully broken 
tbroogh our rules. The shedding of human blood at any time, unless it is uo- 
avoidable, I have strictly prohibited, yet ye not only dbregard this, but, more* 



54 XBMNE8TINE DX LAOY.; Olt, 

« 

oirer^ oommit the deed wlOioat my sanction, and ap|iropriate the fages of yo«r 
crinie to yonr own B8CW Away with tbem, tbdr portion la death !" 

'* Oky mercy, mercy, captain/' cried the trembling Rodolph and (Elbert, look- 
ing ghastly pale, as their comrades, fearfal of disobeying Osmond's orders, came 
forward to sdze them; as fsr Stephen, be CThlMted no rigns of £ear, sa?e that 
which his own gdlty conscience ezdted, and with dasped hands, stood app^ 
rently composed, and awaiting his fiite* 

** Dastardly drarls," exclaimed the indignant Osmond, '' for thy crafen hearts, 
Ihon dost more ridity merit death, than even for thy treachery. Away with 
them to the Hall of Torture, there paalsh them for their present cowardice, 
afterwards, away widi them to separate dangeons, and in the meantime, I will 
consider in wbat manner It wonld be meet to dispose of theor for their former 
oflfence. Bat hold !— The booty they took from the mnrdered man, where Is 
it?— Answer me, knaves, or by my liopes of vengeance on mine enemies. 
In five minntes more, ye shall hang Uke dogs from the first tree in the 
fbrest '." 

Rodolph and Gilbert answered not, bnt with snllen looks and livid lips, they 
looked fearfoUy at each other, and In a hesltatfaig manner, as if th«y were tena- 
cious of parting with that which had cost them so much to obtain, and yet shrunk 
appalled at the death which they were certain Osmond would not fiol to Inflict 
upon them. Wbac cowards are the gnllty at the prospect of death ; how do the 
most ferocious ruffians quail at the siglit of danger* 

« Ah ! miscreants !*' cried the robber-diief, while his dark beows became con« 
tracted, and every feature was distorted with lage, " dara^ ye disob^ ? To the 
forest with them!*' 

Another moment, and the trembling wretdMS late would have been irre* 
vocable, when Rodolph, overcame by his excessive tenrorSf iaiplored the forbear- 
ance of Osmond, and promised to reveal the place where the booty was concealed* 

He did so, and the captain took the packet, which the ruffians had on- 
fisstened, and gazed with apparent astonishment and delight upon the valuable 
contents. 

*' Away with them," he said, tnmiog to the ruffians who had the charge of 
Rodolph and his companions, " away with them, and do my bidding." 

The three wretches looked at .each other with blanched cheeks, but they knew 
it was useless to appeal to Osmond for mercy, and they were forced Into the 
Tortore*room, a large stone chamber adjoining that in which the robbers were 
assembled, and soon their loud and piteous cries were sufficient to convince 
the robber-captain that his orders had been strictly complied with. 

For some time Osmond seemed completely absorbed io the contemplation of the 
contents of the packet, of which the murderers had plundered the nnfortnnale 
Reginald ; after which he traversed the room with hasty steps, and muttered 
some sentences In so bw a tone, that they were perfectly ondistiogolshable to his 
comrades. But they took no notice of his bebavioor, as he was frequently in the 
habit of indulging in such fits, and bad always strictly enjoined them at the peril 
of their lives, never to offer to interrupt him, or to ask any questions as to the 
oanse. It was very clear, however, that some heavy grief hung upon Osmond's 
mind, and that it bad been misfortone aloue, and the hard acd unendurable 



THE robbers' foundling. 55 

bafttiagB of Fate, that had induced him to talce to the predatory lifie which he 
DOW led. 

Of Ultic, howefer, Osoioiid had made a confidant, aod had imparted to him all 
the efentt of his earlj history. They ivere seldom apart, aod the captain had 
made so great a friend of Ultic, that he had delegated to him almost as moch 
power ofer the gang, as he himadf possessed. The lawless and desperate raffians 
looked upon Osmond and his lieatenaat with dread, and nerer offered, by word or 
look, to disobey tbdr orders, for wdl did they know that for s«eh disobedience, 
thdr lives wonld be certain to pay the forfeit. 

**Ah, Ulric,^ suddenly ezehiimed Osmoad, as the former, who had been 
upon business to another part of the coontry, entered the place, ** marry, an tbon 
bast retnmed in good Ume, I iMwe orach to impart to thee, and greatly need tby 
eotinsei and adrice.** 

The rebber-cbief drew Ulric aside, and shewed him the pod[et, and they stood 
conferring together in sappreased tones for sereral minutes, when, at length, 
Ulric obsenred :— 

** Tis wd!, captrio, I much approve thy plans ; bnt the gbl V 

" Forsooth, she Is now a comdy damsel, as tliea koowest," answered Os- 
mond, '* hot it is not agrinst her my deadly vengeance is excited ; no, Ulric, 1 
wonM oot barm her, aHfaoagh those that gave her bdng, have broaght sorrow 
and disgrace npon me, and made tiiat world to me a desert, which once to me 
was a world of sweets and flowers. I do oonfoss me, Ulric, tliat my heart yearns 
t ow ar d s her, and many a time have I w a loh cd with looks of admirattoo, aod 
itoaccoaniable dcUght, her Hght and sylplnlike form, as she bonnded in innocent 
sport op the steep hills, or gambc^ed la the old green- wood, nnoonscioui of 
danger, and a stranger to fbar. Ah, Utrle, there is something In her form and 
feaiaree, widdi so stimngely l>riag to my veeoUcctloo the Image of her who— - 
baf, psha 1 1 am getHag weak as aehfid at the tiaie when I should be most 
imo* 

««Batart thoo oertidD that he of whom thou hast beea speaking," said Ulric, 
** b the same that " 

''Thesame that tohbtd me of peaeot of happiness, of name, of all that 1 once 
possessed," added Osawad eagetiy, whiio ho appeared to vadergo Uk greatest 
ceaacloa ; "yes, he it was who forced the paisoaed chalice to my lips, aod 
rested not until 1 had drained it to the dregal He it was who planted ten tboa- 
laad daggeia la my hcait,,aad made thai besrt oaM as marble. No doubt be 
tbiofca that 1 hare loair siaee slambered wMi Oo dead, and that be Is now secure 
tram danger; but he shaU find that lie 1b deceived; he shall, ere long, learn 
-tbatthamanhehas so deeply in}ared,stUI Uvea for vcogeaace, a^ deadly and 
m p l a cabk veageanee. This alght, 1 shaU leave here, Ulric, lo furtherance of 
iht a c h s me I have aliiady imparted to thae,aBd sboald I not return at the time 1 
Mva stated, tfaau awymt oondode that aometldn^ haahappeaed to me, and wUt 
koov how to act. Now to our nightly repast^ aad when oar eo mr a d e s hasa 
aalook fhamislves to their test, I wlU away." 

With Iksoa words Osawnd, the robher-cUcf, aad hia fovourlte, Uhrle, Joiaod 
their coaHpaalaas at tito festive board, and the coaiue revelry was kept op la 
■■le awnaer as usual till a hue hour, when the lukkmi alleagdi slowly 



56 XBNNE8TINE DE LACY; OB, 

departed to the difltrent iptrtmeDts «p(>roprUted to tbem, and Osmoodi 
haviog bade IkreweU to Ulric, and repeated bis iDJaoctioiia> buckled on hia 
tmsty sword, slang bis horn across his shotthler» and wrapping bis mantle aroond 
him, strode forth from the casUe, and bent hU steps across the forest. 

We will now retnm to Godfrey de Lacy, wbp, having been conveyed to prison 
by the persons who had discovered him standing over the body of the murdered 
man, in the narrow confines of his dungeon, had time, to reflect upon the unfor-^ 
tonate and daagrrous situation In whkh he was pUced; but firm in the con- 
sciousness of his own innocence, and confident that he could without muck 
diflkidty, repudiate ^e charge brought agatest him, he suffered not so much for 
himself as for his parenU and Emnestine, en whom he feared the event woild 
have the most dangerous effect, and the shock so alarm them, that £Mal results 
might be the consequence. 

With disordered steps, he paced tiie gloomy ctU, and gajil free indulgence to 
the agonising thoughts which tormented his bosom. . >. 

«« Alas !" he soIUoquijed, " my beloved parents, what will be your anguish, 
when you hear of the dreadful crime with which your son is accused? And 
Emnestine, my dearest EmncitiM, oh, how wOl her feeUngs beih^rowed up; 
what indescribaUe horror will torture her gentle bosom, when shebeooiBes ac- 
quainted with the situation of her to whom she is so devotedly attached ?-The 
Holy Virgin protect her, and give her fortede to support this heavy trial, for I 
fear the hitelligence will break her heart!" 

He beat his breast awl sighed beavUy,' as these reflections crossed his mind, 
and uaversed the dungeon to and fiWk in a state of the utmost mmitaLescltement 

The terrible fate of Reginald filled his mind with the greatest horror :— 

<< Oh, who could have done thii hellish deed?" he solU^qulscd. «'Who can 
the heartless, the blood«thlrsty wretches be ? And by what strange fetaUty U it, 
that I, who vras his dearest friend, and who had so. mmsh reason lo admire him 
for his generosity towards me and Emuesttf e, should be SMspected of being his 
murderer? Alas ! It seems as if some |nfcirnals|MeU was upon me, and that sor- 
row had marked me for one of her victims !'* 

Once more the wretched youth groaned with the intentftyof his agony, and 
throwing himself upon the straw, wfcleh was placed as a subatitate for a pallet, in 
one comer of liia celi, he gave hioMelf upcntifely to the horror of the thoughts 
that crowded rapidly upon his brain. 

Again and again did ht upbraid himself for havii«>ft Regimdd to paitue his 
way alone, after hmring walked frith him so for ou the way to Sdnl Cuthberf s 
Monastery; and the impmslOB was Strang upon his mind, that had he uot done 
so, the dreadful catastrophe would never have taken phice. Not bebg aware. 
whether the packet frith which Reginald had baen entrusted, was taken from hiai» 
he vras unable to Judge what had bam tho obleet of the ouKdereis ; but he had no 
doubt thai It had been plunder, and that the crime was perpetrated hy tome of 
the wretdMSfvhoinfeited that part of the country: and, as this Idea oocurred to 
him, he became more and aMre confident of his innocence heiH V^^J <^ 
ciaariy establiahed, for nothing bad been found upon Us KnoB to criminate him* 
and bis charaeler was too wdl known, for it 10 be supposed for a moment, that be 

wmUd have any eoneetioB with the miscreants above aUaded to. But the bme 



THB aOBBBBB* VOtrNBLINO. 



Ideiofhli bdng taken npoa tiupldoa of conmlttiDg so foul a deed, filled hit 
koMM <rlth hoTTcr ud tbMiw, and he had a aenre struggle with hts feeliagi to 
' eaable Uu to reudn aoyihiDg like hii uiaal eqawlndlf. 

Hour afKr hoar (aned awiy In thij horrible Hate of asoDf aod lupenge, and 
nwrnlng bnioght irllk It no change. Bat he could odI; fneu the lifMC ot time, 
far there wm not eren a ray of liffat conld eater hia dnarj cell, and it wa* «a cold 
lad damp, that his llntw trembled aa If lie had been inSfering under a riotent fit 
•(tfaeagne. 

At length be wat annied bf ledng a light gllmDicring from the crerioes o( the 
door, and loon aftcrwaidi be heard the bolb wllbdnwn ; the ke; turned in the 
lock ; the be**; doer hll back on lla blngn, and, In a mament, the gaoler entered, 
fUlewed b; Raoolph, who nubed Ihuiticaltj iota the amu of hii iod, and wai ao 
BTW w e hj hia cmotioat, that he was unable to ntter a ijllabte. 

" Mr Km ! my ion !" at lait exclaimed Ranulph, In a voiee which guBdcnll) 
erlBCcd tb agon; ot bli fcellngi. "Ala* ! what dreadfal fate hai bronchi Ihee 
IMo tbli dloation? Oh, nerer did Ranolph de Lacy, wboie namewaa nent 
■alUed ret, and whoae (brebtben were noble and great,— never did he, I taj, ex- 
pect atrial to aerere aa thltl" 

■' niher!" Mid Oodfrey, wtlhdnwlng himtelf from hit embrace, and loeking 
U hlin with a mingled expreuton of titonithment and reptMch,— " biher, caa 
imbeDne me guilty of tbit cmel, tbit horrible crime?" 
' *■ Itlsk TOO gi^ty, my ton," re^ed the agitated Ihther; "bellere my eehl*- 
idadedbay capableof imbruing hit haodt In the blood of bit feUo«-cnBMt«,t«4 

No. 8 



58 SBNXfBmifE n li^eir; or, 

that feUow-crealvre bis friend, the oof^anioa of Irii youths netcf I Mfvrl 
Ob>Godif«f,puiteaBwifaf worii appeirai %490BfqrMekHi Mn; Indeed, 
myetii«llop|if»frait, tbatliouceif kMwwMIlM^ Tee, iqr son, well do I 
know lUne i n noc e ac e, and thm Pftvfidenee will enaMe tbee to Make it maniteC 
on Uie dqr af tkf tdri. Tlw Letd Si. Aeiwdyh WicfeHiiee griMeii, andjdn 
wonM nee IiIb InAveooe Id ngjmie liiee fcoea conineniflnt ; bntjaitieeandliikie 
own dMOMCer* demand ike stricteeliM«%Mlen lam tkb awful aAlr." 

'« My poor mother and Bnnestine,'* saU Qtdbtfr^* abm I what wUi be th^ 
safliering at my tmiAed, my (Uagiaeefd aMaatloa ? Ob, I owe not for miidf, 
bnt for yen, ay dwr |ii— i, and tbalcwMt Bakka, en whom noQr iMMrTa i*c- 
^Dsareplaeed. tamtnadytomeetmytiialwUbfinaneee, for tbeOfeat Jn^ 
abeve,wfaoknMinaqriMMGenee, wiU not^eeertmeintbehonrofneed. Abu! 
\¥bat wil be Ike angiiib ef tiem to anraw amifnnd at tke bar, Ibr a crime at 
wbich Nature revdm? TeU mt, ftfker, are tkey not distncted ? Ob, do not 
di«priee anytbiag Drain me* fcr to deeeNe bk, wodkl only be to add to my 
angnbb.** 

'M win nm dnoeNe tbee, Gediiny,'* mid Ranalpb ; ** bat. pr'ytbee endeavoor 
to rastaln tby fbrtHnde under this beary misfortune, for thy grief, of ooune, 
would increaae ^le afony of ikose for wbom tbon expressest so much concern*" 

Rannlph tben, with as much oompoiure as possible, related to bis unfortunate 
son all thai had taken ptace, and dkl not disguise from him the rioleot effect it 
had i^on the fseUngt of bis^moUier and Emnestine. When Godfrey beard of the 
angoiih endursd by Ids mother, and the heait>randiog situation of fimoestioe, he 
smote his breast, and traTersed bis oell in a state of mind which may be easily 
imagined ; but at length the argnmenu of his father prevdled, and he became 
gradually more calm, and, at the request of Raoolpb, related all that he knew to 
have taken place the night before bis separation from the lll.f^ted Reginald, and 
bis subsequent return and dlscoTcry of the body. 

Rannlph listened to him with the most breathless attention, and when be bad 
concluded, be exclaimed in a tone of delight,— 

*' Thank Heaven ! my son, everythlog is sd dear, thai there camiotbe the least 
doubt of tbbie Innocence being quickly established. Theife is not the sUgbtest 
evidence to criminate thee 1 Thou must be acquitted, and not even the tMieath df 
suspicion shall dare to contaminate thy name. Bear with It, then, my s<ni, and 
all will soon again be well.** 

Kanulpb de Lacy remained as long as they would permit him in the cell Witit 
Godfrey, and when at last they were compdled to separate, they were both mora 
tranquil and sanguine as to the fortunate issue of the Dual aflkir, and the lalter, 
having breathed a prayer for liis mother, Emnestlne, and bis other dear fHends, 
felt more happy and resigned. 

Bannlph de Lacy bad not departed many minutes, when the gaoler enteral thi^ 
cell, and infbrmed Godfrey that a holy monk i^dshed to speak with bitti* 

** Admit him,** said Godfrey ; and the gaoler departed, and qnkkly retumfld,' 
followed by the taU bgore of a monk, whose featores were almost entbcly con- 
cealed beneath bis cowl« 

«* JRr'fyiee, kave ns, son,'* said the friar, addressing the gaoler In a dMp 
9M| ioyigpins tone, which Godfrey listened to with an astonishment. Which nd- 



i 



vsB MomBtals souhMiD90« S9 



ili4o tlK WNttooOBtrtte IMvMIlM nrak iMd «iriM in hit toiM the BMMi^ 

lis 



After «e iMl» lM^q■lltod 'Ite dM^Mo, nd lb» BOBk hii* ttrtnad 10 titf 
wmid of his feoedfaig fooHlepi, as he mind idong the mtrtiirnnnonn iniwji, fae 
ftfned iMUl towuii«oa6en »d M«n« M» mms ecrws hishwMt, rteed for 
» few m h w t i i eBMtly f iii liw ph m i g the i i l Biisii Bd ymUh^^iamVb efts, nMck 
were iB IhM Oodftey eowld iHsHBgriili fiwn heeeeib taieootd^ wem fiaadepon 
Us co M te na nce with en eameetMSs whSdi seemeias tfSt'oeiild esad. Ms oNSt 
iaoMMl liiooghts. 

The priMMrfM •elniigeaw^siaallagedsrldaesHeSyift Hie praeaee of the 
luj f Ueii ea e flrtar, aatf be- wdltad Willi tin 8iiBta*lH^aliaieet» hear i^m^ 
had to saf to %bir, or whether iM-lMd «erelf«liiiid Ub to.paefMm the otteM 
ofi^gleti. AMnKthi^hesMofc'hidlMiifesileMdwhkhhehadhllte^ 



t 



<'We are now aloncy" sidd he ; << there mm wo iMaBns ae hMid «» ove»- 
hear tis." 

"Why sbonldst thou fear them, holy hOMfV* flw— dnd Qodfity ia a tone of 
Borprise. 

Hie monk retained no answer, bat drawing closer to Geifeeff he took his 
hand, and tfitdwlng back his oowl, he d is eei ewd tbeMenHinedy has hattdsome 
flares of a man, appatwily abonl forty years ^^age, who gaa#l«po» the yealh 
with an eamettness which exdted his vtttost inf erest and amaaaoeat. 

'' Ah !'* etdalmed Godfrey, drawing back, ** then art no monk?" 

'* Be cautions," said the stranger, hi an under tone,-^* the« guessest right.*' 

«« Who art thou, then?*^ 

" No matter ; I am thy friend." 

" How am 1 to know that?" 

'< 1 will ^rove m/s^ tn be so anon," was ttie stranger's answer. 

''What Tduldsl Uiou yilh me^" inquired Godfrey, whose asteniiAmea ^3 
cref sed at ^ 8!i<*t/dar :^Mds and manner of the stranger. 

"I wo^lserre .hee. ' 

J How •' 

V ' rhoni rt Oi^ M "^ r^ murder, Godfrey de Lacy," said the mha. 

r ' 7fue ; «ot I attft liitc #it." 

«« 1 know it." 

'<Thoo ?" repeated the youth, in a tone of the most unqualified sorprlse; 
how eanst thou know me guiltless of this atrodous crime ?" 

*« It matters not," returned the stranger, ^Met it suflce «at I speak not 
erroneously." ' 

" For what purpose didst thou come hither V* asked Godfirey, eageriy. 

"To offer thee liberty!" 

Godfrey shook his head. 

" Thou mockest me, stranger," said Godfrey. •• What power hast thou to offer 

me freedom ?" 

" More than thou dost imagine," was the answer. 

" I cannot scire this mystery," observed Godfrey ;— »* why ihouldBC thou in- 
terest thyself in my fate? I know thee not," 



66 XRK»«8TK»£ WS, i^MOt ;< ORy 



4 



4t 



B«t 1 ksov'tliae. Tjmhi •rtthftwii W Hw M riph ikliWjy, the Wnywt jwy 
a good yew bow, the work of Mo|ip4iy Jnuto |<toiil ^jmw. Ho Qiice4id,iBe 
miervke; Iw Mnodayfifi» mA I weald niMf ^ 4«H to Mviiif tke Ufe of 
tteeeo/' 

"AlMl ihoo tolheil wUdlfy fCmffer/' remerlMd fiodlrif s '<fei4o ItlMuok 
thee for ftir ennd i rtrtw end dnihroi hne rei f r lennwtVihki ihrr mT hn " 

<«Thou iheh tod thet their eee net tupeMJBehkt If thou wUt egree ta ^lake 
«e oW,''. reoMrkod the onB. 

'* What wmddei thoo propoee ?** 

*' Tboa iboit haow/' eniwered the eiher« aod ia a aMtteolt thioedafoff hie 
monldeh ^reiei Oodftoy hihcH, wMh aHehlehnient, the tall apd.mnscelar per«> 
eoBofaOMuiyeitfiedhiahMideeMednHt with deaen la hte.bfdV and a poo- 
deroofl eweril by ld» tide. Godfrey iteited hioh with aoMiepKnt et this toddea 
and aneiiMcied aeteaMnphoeeiy while the eti«Dgcr hdield theeeoMtion he .had 

" Doet thoo kaow ine aow ?''deaMaded he. 

« I do not," repKed IMft^t^-^ leU M thy aaae ?** 

«* OiBMBd the Afeaeer l** 

««Ahi therahher?" 

**The8aBie,aBdthyfriead, Nay, thoaneeditoot tan away wit^fucbdhdaUi; 
thoo adght iit haee away a wone fHead thaa Otaioad« the robt^ chief ^^ well 
oMy thoee IraaMe who have oMde hiai their eaeaiy." 

" Agalo I aak thee," said the yoeth, ** how thoa woaldft fenre me?" 

**Hare I oot told thee?— By effectiac thy liberatloQ. But come, there is no 
time to Umo ; the gaoler will be sorprlied at the length of our oonfereace, and 
retam ere we ean pat my project into esecotloo. Qaick, attire thee in thia 
monkitb garb, and thou maytt past out of this priioa without sutpldon." 

** Aad thou-—*" dcmaaded the aiUMdthed Godfrey. 

** 1 will nAMin here until I think thou hast had time to escape, when fear 
oot bat that my good sword will shew my passage through all who are daring 
enough to obstract me. Quick ! quick !— the disguise, while it is yet in ^y 
power to avail thyself of it." 

" No, BO, I wlU not do so," said Godfrey, after a moment or two's reflection ; 
** were I to fly from hence, I should qukkly be retaken, and to do so, wouk! be 
like an a^aowledgaMnt that I am guilty of the foal crime of which I am sua- 



»> 



" Bethink thee,"«id Osmond, "shoaldst thou leave ere I wlU shelter and 
protect thee, and take steps to estabUsh thine innocence beyond a doubt, so 
that thon maist again fiearlessly mingle with the world without the sli^test 
impotatloB upon thy character. Bt quick and decUle.** 

«< WonkI not my eonduct appear weak, cowardly, and would not every one 
condemn me, did I act as thou dost advise me ?" asked Godfrey. 

" Psha I— Could they condemn thee when thine innocence was made manifest, 
and the real assisssins brought to light?" 

** Ah . canst thou do as thou si^est ?" 

** I pledge myself that the real murderers of Reginald shall be delivered ap 
to justice," answered the robber chief. 



THK BOBBBIM' POTTNDLIKO. CI 

* '««^D00g!ir* (friea GrtdHitfi '«! 'iM avtOl mytelf of thine offar^ aiicl u thoa 
art sincere, «o wiQ my 'gm^iitft be dtae «> thee." 

«< What interest coM r ttlfV^ln dte<Miig ^A^r* denundedOmoiid; ^ tfOBk- 
eit thon I would mn the risk lam now prepared to do, were it not with a iHsh l» 
servethee? Bat we are wasting time. ThM wih pats earily oot of tlM prison 
in this dtsguise. Ontside thov will find some of my brateMlowi waiting tore- 
celve thee ; commit tbyseif to (heir eare, and fear noc«* 

While Osmond was thus speaking, he had assisted Godfrey on with the 4kH 
guise, and drew the cowl over his fi^e, to conceal hb featittes fhrni ohsersatioo. 
' «*"Bnt, then,*' stf d Godfrey, hesitsUng, •* how wm tkou escape r 

"Again,! ieJi thee, to fear not for me," repHedpeaKNid $ ^nothing can pre* 
rent my escape' fh>m hence; t wHTqalcfe^ feBow thee«-«way, away.«»Hark ! the 
gaoler approaches J-^ebce-^-catftton.** 

^ At that moment, the door of the dongeon was opened, and the gaider made his 
appearance. Osmond had got into a dark comer of the odl» so that his person 
coold not be distinguished directly, and Godfrey, after hmring apparency In- 
Toked a blesring on the head of the prisoner, tamed to' pass out. 

The gaoler looked at him stedfastly, bat did not appear to bare any Sttsplcion ; 
and Godfrey, with a solemn step, in keeping with the holy dnraeier he had 
aasomedy #alked out Into the passage beyond. 

«« Holy father," obserred the gaoler, ^ thoo wilt pass the seMinels as thoa 
xUdst on thine entrance, and tbott canst not miss thy wayi 1 hafeburincss with 
the prisoner, or I wokld gaide thee.** 

'* Thanks, my son," said Godfrey, attempting to Asgidse his rolee. The gaoler 

siarted.— 

'< Ah ! what voice is that ?** he ezdaimed. In a tone of aitonlshment s *• It it 
not that of the monk's I Hold ! thou goest not hence, untD I am shtlsfied.'' 

As the gaoler uttered these words, he opened the small lantern he carrIM with 
him, and the light streamed full upon the robber chief. 

•« Ah I by the infernal host," cried the gaoler, " there t treason abroad l** and 
he sprang towards Godfrey, with an intention of detaining him ; bat, scarcely 
Jhad he given utterance to the words mentioned above, wlien Osmond rushed 
apon him, and plunging the dagger to his heart, the unfortunate wretch gave 
but one groan, and sunk a corpse at the feet of his murderer. 

" Fly, Godfrey, fly I" he exclaimed ; " thou canst pass on now without any 
danger ; and leave me to work my way to liberty !— I will r^oln thee anon." 

Godfrey, horror-struck at what had taken place, and scarcely knowing what 
ht did, obeyed the injunctions of the robber chief, and traversed the gloomy 
IMSsage with hasty steps, until he reached the first sentinel, who, sedng Ms holy 
farb, asked no questions, but suffered him to pass on. In like manner he passed 
every sentinel, until he at last gained the exterior of the prison, where he be- 
faeld several men lurking about, whom he suspected to be the robbers whom 
Osmond had mentioned to him. He soon found that he was perfectly right in his 
conjectures, for they no sooner saw him, than the principal one, who seemed to 
Uke the lead of the rest, made a sign to him to follow; and, turning round an 
angle of the prison, him and bis companions were soon hidden from sight. 

Godfrey did follow the n^n as qvuck as possible ; and when he had come op 



tA (he vaD wko b»d flfCD bim the •ign, and «bo wm Ukk, (be Uealeiia&t, and 
ooo&daot of Osmond, he threw beck hif cowl and zevealed hifluelf. 

<* 'Ah • :a9 aU righl/' taid Uhic i <* bat» oar capiain r 

<* He bade me (ell U^ he. wpnld r^oin thee, anon/' letnrBed Qodfrej;— 
*< ah ! see, eien now he approaches (his wiyr 1" 

At th9fk monfieBt, Osmood^ hi a pertorbed B^te« and with, his hands covered 
with blood, came nuiniDg. to wards them, with the greatest precipitatioa, 

« Quick J quick ! where are our horses ?" be cried : "1 have been compeUed 
to morder. all, the sealmeis as 1 came tip to them, and i l^ave npt lett a soul that 
can teil who is (he perpetraior of ail which haa taken place. A^ywitbje!— 
for shonid the esoape of Godfrey de Lacy be disoo?ered immediaiely, a parsait 
would take pUce, and we might hate to fight hard to effect our escape !" 

The horses were standing just at the entrance to the fpres^, in the charge of 
two of the robbers, and they had brought one with $hem for the use of Godfrey. 
They were soon mounted, and, clapping their spurs into the sides of their fleet 
steeds, they were soon Ur away .from the place in which Godfrey had so lately 
been confined, and in a short time, the lofty towers of St. Alwyn Castle, the im- 
pcegaable retreat of Osmond and his daring band,'appeared in sight. 

Hafing crossed the moat, the drawbridge was almost immediately raised, and 
Osmond put his bom to his mouth, and blew a loud blast three times, upon which 
Ibe door was opened by a ferocious-looldng man, and the robbers and Godfirey 
passed Uito the hall of the castle. 

Godfrey liad hitnerto bad little time to reflect upon the cour^ he had adopted ; 
but it now, suddenly, came upon his mind the construction ^it was most likely 
that would be put upon his escape from prison ; it would, he thought, appear to 
the generality of people like a confirmation of, his guilt, because, had he been 
really bnoceot, (at least, so it wouUl appear to mere superficial observers,) he 
^wonld not ha,?e feared the evidence which might be adduced against him on his 
trial, and would have risked anything sooner than have fied, and thus lay himself 
nnder the stigma of cowardice, if not of the actual guilt of the dreadful crime 
with which he stood charged. Besides, what a sacrifice ot life— of the lives of 
iipocent persons, and who were only doipg their duty— had it caused, and what 
would be the opinion of the public on the subject ? They would suppose him to be 
the actual perpetrator of the seve^ mufders, and eternal obloquy &nd detestatbm 
would rest nj^n his name -, and, innocent as he was of the assassination of tbe 
unfortuuate mep, was he not the indirect cause of their fate ?— for bad he not in a 
moment of weakness accepted of the services oi the bandit chief, the lives of tbe 
lll>fated beings would have been saved, and he would, in the consdottsness of Ida 
own innocence, have passed triumphantly through the painful ordeal, to vililcb it 
was his Ul-starred fortune to be subjected. Again, if ultimately it was proved 
that he was not guilty of the murder of Reginald, would not a suspicion of 1^ 
integrity attach itself tq him, since he had connected himself with tbe robbers, 
the terror of the country, to effect his release from incarceration ? Alas ! it 
would i and he feared his reputation was ruined for ever ! And what would be 
tbe agony, the distraction of bis family— of Ernnestine, when th^ news of bit 
flight, and the horrible circumstances that had attended it, reached their ears?— 
. What dreadful doubts, surmises, and apprehensions wouid torment their minds i 



THE robber's F0T7Nl>tllir«. <8 

Whtt acconed inftouuioiiy— what stnnge wetkneM codd «vcr hi?e Mnoe* liitt 
to jieM to the imidknit permsloat of Osmond, and what cotfld ever have tadisad 
the latter to ran the risk of reicniog Um fhMn oonfinemenl, if he had not some 
afadeter design in view ? He knew Mm not, no more than from what report had 
ipicad of fall desperate deeds, and why shOQld he, therefbre, take any Interest In 
Usfhte? Ttroe,hehadlo|dh!m,thalhIsAuherhadoBeereadeitdhlmasertlee, 
hat he had only his hare assertf on to sallsiy him of that helng a fhet, and hlf 
ftlher had nefer mentioned such a drcnmstanee to him, nor had he arer idlnded 
to it, even In the most remote manner. Osmond had pfomlsed to make his It- 
aoeenae maatfest, and to hrlag tiie real assassins to Ught ; hot. If he even did to, 
what cMld ever remove flrom him the stigma of having aecepied of the servlcei of 
a rohher, an ovtiaw, to eflhet thai ol^eet t And would he not ever afterwards he 
looked npOB as afrlend and assodate of the towleis dtleft Alas ! he had aeled 
very Impradeallf^very rashly ; and he feared that the resnlt would prove an ever^ 
hMing soorceof nnhapplness and disgrace to Um and his flmdly, and destroy tiie 
good» the Irreproadiable name he had hitherto horne In ttie workL 

these were the thooghts that nished rapidty oh Che hftih of dod<^ de La^, 
the moment he entered the robbers' retreat, tad noR poignant Was the aagollh 
they occasioned him. He pansed, and struck hi! Ibrdiead In the btttemtts of his 
Hgony, and Osmond, observing his emotion, tam«d suddenly fnm hh cimpMcm, 
and looked stedfkstly at the former, said,* 

*' What now ?— Why dost thon hesitate ? Hat cMldWh ft>r UMAtk pUiaWJoti of 
thy iheoltfes ? Dost thon repent thee of aiPalDng thyself 6f the ttbei^^ wMft< 
have taken so mnch trouble to obtain thee }^ 

^ Wonld to Heaven," answered the yottdg (hihii-^^'itoMd to Heaven thai I iad 
never seen thee; what an effiMton of blood wimhl It have tm^^ wd hivapraii 
vented the fool calomnyand Opprobrlam thai will atiaelithemitfvair to ferf««a 
nnsnllled name. Let me retom to my ddngMn, and meet, Id a man, uiUiJ i ii tf 
his innocenoe, onght to do, the dreadflcddiltfge which l« bH)dglfl«NiNiatflidf'' 

«t pgha !" exdahned Osmond, << what ehlldtlh wiMOrtkeM h«v hO^ Itkth pMh 
session of thy ftienhies> Retmn, and thy Aite Is sealed; iMMn hete, tndtor hiy 
protection, and, as I have belbre assured thee, Ihlhe entire Ihttocenoe dhldl In 
made known to the world ; and, moreover, dion shaltheetttliely si ^Ul pa te tf IMI 
any share In the bloodshed whidi snbseqoeotly ocenrred. The fools wett ^^ 
stinate, or tiidr lives wonld have been spdred s-^^OsMtondllkeiifidt tlie aa w c esa ai y 
dbsionoftklood. Coffle,eoffle-^tfd<iityrthlkway.'* 

Scarcely knowing nlkat he did, Qodlray snftMd hliUlslf td^'he odhflstlld by dkl 
robbers along the hall, whkh had Idst nothing of hi AMda! gMiMMir, an« pM*' 
sented the same mi^;olflcent wtqt Jttit', ik MM done dortllg Vhk period of the 
andent possessors of the casfle. They fMlM ftrto a plaw wUch had IbMiSlIt 
been the diapel of the gothic pile, and Ulric, proceeding to the alter, sian pai 
several times npon a marble ^lab Immedlatdy before B, and at leagfli a iserecdoor 
dawopenin thefrontof Iheatadr, and^iglilbfted'afl^tof MMm stSfff* Hisa^ll 
immediatdy beg4n to descend, and was fbllowiftd liy the febb^,- OlttMld kieftal 
dose by the side of Oodftey, and taking great pains topolatotttlohlmthii wa^ 
At the bottom of these steps, they fonnd themsdves to i long, ttMhai pmmt^t ^ 
'ilie extremity of which they proceeded, and, opeatog a door, Ihey entered laMM* 



BBNNE8TINE DB LACY ; OK, 

grouDd BpMtmcDla, or rather careroi— rw ther 
ing rbe— vbich were occupied bj ttae robbcit. 
'b bunt upon tail view, engaged tbe attCBtloo of 
etlrauged bli, thooghts from Itae p^ofgl Hbijecta 
rtie firil ftpartmeiil thef eataed wu m vtij ipa- 
id, ODoIl lidet, w^tb unu of emy deMttption. 
I, depeaded lerenl laapi, that terrtd to nike h 
ig reflectiop upon the iwordi and coau ot mitl 
the ippeHsuce of « batonlil balL la the cenlR 
be robberi ■Iwaji utembled to take their meilf, 
f. At the bead of ibe boird wu n ch^r ruafd 
f tbe rat, hBTlo^a cuii^ OTer It, Ttua wm 
laptain. On the right of thU wu utotber cb^, 
leUeotenuit of the dAriog gug, iJwa^ look Us 

■a abont tortr dark, powerfal, twd detenmued- 
who immediBtely arote, and shouted id tonea of 
t captain, OnQond, tbe Arenger 1" 
I taken Dodcr inj proCectian, Godfrey de Lacf t" 
Omuwd, taUag Ibe hand of tbe former, and leading him toirard* the 
table. 

" Wdcone to OodCtcj de Lkj !" ihonted the robben, almultaoeoatly, and the 
Mptala aod Ulilc Immedlattli took ttdr leali, Ounood pladng Godfrcj in a aeal 
«& Ui left band, after wbidi tbe robben lanmed tlicin, and tiknee prerailed. 

Ood&ii coaU not Mp feeUag a degiee of interctt at Ibe novcltf of the Kcne to 
triddt be wm Una iatndaccd, wUck be had octct experienced before ; bnt, jet. 
•addat It all, Ua tkMshti aUU dwdl apan tbe daupr of hia tlttuulon, and tbe 
^■a; bit lH«Bdi WM>U be enduiDf, when tbe newt of bit digfal became knewD ; 
■■dfce lepwched hlnmdf fbc the teMpniiiy weakaew wbicbbad tempted him to 
jldd to Ibe pennariotia of dK robber chief , 

j^tnond fanuedialdr mticad ike daprcHiion of ipltiti ander wblcb be laboitr- 
•d, iDd, be aa qdchl; read bto OHWcbti, bnt did Mit lor a while offer to Intemipl 
hU)^,— nSniBg bim to (iK free ladalfcnoa to all which waa paulng within hi) 

A ideniMw t^mt wai aooo pLaccd ujmb ibe table, of wblck Ood&er wm Io< 
ritad to partake i hot Ua IboB^ti wars loo bMllj ocMpled to aofler bin to assent. 
Tba wlpo c«p waa dBtdalad bcdj^ aod tbe robbetaaMa becune nceidvdi merrj, 
mafcbg " tba uttUa ting ^n" with thdr nde awl bolstenm i«relry. 

At tengtb, Otniond, harini bj • UQ^a M his hand couManded. illence, g**e 
tbe itenldcr of Godbcr • heartr jmKk, and bi a lone of anamed galeiy, ob- 
aened,— 

" Cone, cMM, Godfraj, tnatt QijtdS, and lat nol needlaa* apprebMuiona tor- 
veal thy boaoM ; buiufnt bw, bal Ibaa art h doU aa oae wbn bas InbaUted Ibe 
aol wi B waUa ot« daiatv all hk dafi. Here thoa an aa nfe aa if ihon wen u 
die olber esd of tbe globe. lU* U oor tanilory, and no one yet has been fMiod 
I^jfUdj^ maaih to dispaie our right of posMNlon. Hete, in our itronc 
hft i— itt^ we nay be trnly said to be imprcfnable. We bid de&wM t^ 



THE ROBBBSfS FOCNDLING. 



Urbrct, nd Iheie b DM k miD HMBg*t M who WMM Mt dl« WM(r ttia 
Jl-i.- 
OodfrCT ihonk fab bMd tod il^Wd ;- 

"1fc*rne,''aUlK, " AMihtMisBUeof ave-of NR«ir, udafeito*.;' 
"Ii li k life of freedoB," "'•'■'—* OmmmmL "WamnM the towlrMrfk. 
QflstdlrtrnnU, norownwetfaepMnrarMoaarciqr. Ve held dia naiim |ooi, 
thMtheioodlfeiiiporthiiHfewennMlar the njarmni <rf m aU j ■Bd«b«a| 
«■ Ne otben ■onopoHtbw aore thM ii thdr ibara, we lUak we htm vi u-' 
iadhtti right to tkka It ftnm them k^ kpprapilkW II (• ooi o«n •••■■ Whj 
Aoild Mboa' eokn «cmMb kbrndanee of the brfsfal jlliom pM, knd osn ■» 
«MpiT ?— "ne poor ue onr Mendi, far we rcHere thdr mak. Uliiidilnil Ii onr 
■hbomace, knd liaceretT do we regret wbea MceMllj eewpeU u to It. We bate 
kwi of DW own, irtdch m^tklo proper order kod wboritiMUfan, ud wc do 
matbUta poidth Ooee who break thm. Upon the worid we look with cob- 
HM pi Ibr wt are an man lAo bkn been lo baffHcd about b; iiiliHwtiinii, u 
tahcM«edli|MMd irittltaad theboUowBlBdiof IM tMarte*. Thlilaprcg- 
aMe caete k omt flaBe iMi bonaj gieen>wood oar biafioB. Wbai nrcrt 
*0c?— lUnkot thou the robber** Bfc b altegelher to'be U i ^ed to jcwbj" 



MMihne IadMed*aetotriwM thb lawkaacone ofDIbt far.Ornf MM 
paHMtBafetHjbaUaoijMlaai boI Mdi sMrtw, Ao^HtMlBftowlV 
•tlila, ari TOt ban la H|ha aid bBi)?!^ optciMloM.*' 



<« Tfcw mimmmn %mh" veplM Owmi, nWi^ iWh '< l havft kMwt 
Hint ilia<>irt«ibt^iHlbHitii<fa«aaA the hWb ti mdic thfrite W i<- 
nlw^iHHHiK dHNMW wNMn^iMCS* I Mvv loiiM tt Is Sly pfM^irily irtch 
lltt sMtl 'MivMfiUy mA bukiA itt tlv oomitMV milM ti my tofwitei'i 
temm Bui liMflhw* mocctdoii* lad h w fl ti i M harifld mb fnM mv oMad 
eiiitit «mI now joo lee ae m I am I— Oby whmij liimMt tea wvl taa 
to dioeH#4 to IM aMm in tl^r 0oUcn fctttn $ to tport wMi his fteJtajijMd 
ImkthelMarttbMliatlailillared!'' * 

O ia ni p— ied» aad tecMci to be f Tioieatfy agitalcdasto beooabk to||fa 
u ttwm i e to hto f ff Hn g i , Tbe dark and baidHoakiac Men appc«tedt» pay bia ^ 

fteBagatbe atnMWt mpaet, and to ayapalfaiie w>h tfaa ■onow tbat o p p w edbia 
flriod^ aadiHiicfa WW known only to Ulric, the BeateoaBt. OioMnd anwe ftaai 
his aeatyWdedUianM, and tfarenadthacafanwitb hasty and agkaled steps. 
At lengd^ he retvnedtabis seat, and looking aMce conposed, said to Gad- 
fkty, isbo had watched bis eondnd with mocb Interest— 

^Fsrtaa nie» Godfrey; ills a weakness which tfaoe nor draasBstaaees caa 
oier eaajaan Ob, Mariao !— too bcanttfal, yet too fblsel— What aagaSsh bait 
Aao oaalaMi What panp what tnrawati bast thoa Iniloted hi this bosam! 
What AMaat than of this. Godfref ?" 

M tlwvabhsr<hlsrthasspoke,hctooklroaihl8bosoaiaaBlniatare,lnafald 
Nnd witti peads, aod piessiied It to O ad ftej, who ansd with 
aoddaBfht upon one of the asoat b sa te o as eaitsnaaces ha bad 
aier coiitraiplHBd. It was that oT a iSM s le, ap p a ieatl y aboat the aaaof Bm* 
aastiae, aod the renarkable Bkeness to whom was the oMit sarpiidng. As ha 
loakrt iateatly apan 1^ t^ sesfowaeamefteshapanhha, andwhco basaaali* 
lasted the ajony which BmnesihMandhlspaieatsweiamostBkaiyat thattlaM 
aaJwiBg, he coaid scarceiy sapport hlmssif ■ 

haA btm seniHnltliytha aipffasshm oC Godli^s coantenaooa oar- 

Usthsvahts* 

.<<What ibiabmtbtfaof Itb yoang ama?" said ha. "Is It not sarpasdbsilf 
losely I^^Thinkait tbo% bar who laolia so bsaa ttfnl so hi aa iBen t ^oaald bafbear 
daoolt?" 

'''Decsiti aaverl" «Klafaaad Qadiray. '< By Hearem it U a ansa libel apaa 
oaa oC tim sMat kBaataani ol NatarsTs works !— Bat the Ukcacss !— I ^oald 

.11 Of «hMB.AMSi^&a^Mk?"^nmBdod Qmand. esaeda* 

«< Of hsa.to wbaaaamtepotad mf,heartrs wasMst aftetloaa," repaed Godftay^ 



^OfbaMsttel" 

<«'Sha awe^" ibaiiTni Qnitum "kf thoaaialalaaier beheld sogiaata 
lihsMSsl^'NlaM^ste It thaorigloalof tbls2" 

«' Par tboiNMMt I BNM MS taa.thoa»" aoawaasd Osmoaa* «< althoai^ 1 OMT^ 
▼^ not at thy qamtfoa, fint, eaaagiiof this, wa i^to the bosinass wbkh 
lis haaipdlstsla laSsnati osat the passsnf mnwsnf " 

"1id)aa Y" dMa1»ml Oailfisj, ai iN Ml hanur trf bis sItaaHnn rrr V^ "T" 
h|aaasoMsy,««waaldtbiU^ih«tnisvaryMM0thypefaBSdaas^OwaaMlf aAip$ 

tortarlagpaags woald h hsvosaasdaha^dsaria m^ and aqratitf*". 






r | i i ir b ii»w»t»<fgi tl Bi y ii u i#idiiMmi^ i il >iifc <t^^^ 

kooWB lobfeak Us notd— tb«l tea ihaH cone offiiBMitMt ani *«. 
M^ I g» t^p^mf ^moB Mo eflBMdM; iBdy i» «e ut M iMM B , vest 
■M I ioi ^ifMMdyiad tel ttMa aeei tst ^BPi^Btf Hw iwill of itii 
psbftdeKnt. 



CHAPTER VII. 



,♦ 



«. H , 



'' Sorrow upon sorrow ChkkeiiSy ' 

As donds olMcure the Mglittiess of a somoRr's sky 

nXkf wl tttNUM IS HliBk ottpiuPf 



• 4 



I* 

Kowui Alio Biima4. 



Wt limm lanttti of «The fflnpn" in a Moti pkiMs cmtUm,. 
llilph do Lioy aad Uid St. Aswolph qplMed tho iiui to Bihe'tebrvif 
10 Hm Mtt»^ ilM kMHv Umi iliqr Mliiis ifcfo r po s ii r w g a gi si 41^.^0 %<se 
t« HlDf tin «cttnl MinlBnn toUghl^ simI stit QottBef tetiihe iMe 



.• ^^1^^ ^KS^H^w mamm^^^iwmm^mmm'mum wmm^ «H»«^HKHHHa > 



li<ii 81. A wi^ yfc tiofc» ■o tti i o t ly J i tiM ii io tit tel»«f €Mboy» irtMi 
Wis piilbiyMiliifeHMrt ftOB tbo MpoomkMi In Ml Cbt mM<pt» Ui<Mtfr, 
aodH ie i m o iteftn i^P i bi awio ospodrftr — tott»th«^nsiniiiiaMi) ij- 
wMflh Hn t—iloai;4ln oMfHiMiHi gw— iaa ini wrtui im Ms 
iHi nramp WW wof novo (■■§ ■BBPOHMi>asn^^wBBWBi^iB0we oovc 

tiri1HfS, aii Hn iJ^pntlM of Ut niaa» wiw alii opol so^ttdseol liiHMttoo, 
smi JoWaamiUrt) jalwi tfnosiei»of alirtio baMdiin*^ WlMBMBiriws 
]fMq|er, kelMtt ioea-ngood dial «ii dnuuBiiasni^'aad » 
iltfaaTbokad aiitwWiiosa AappdaiiftwtS^isN^ fn» 
iglfcndj Us OMiano wi 

snidy wMi Hw glow of jmA anA >MiMi» lwi*liMMBw^|Mlciaad 
1; Md Ui ipMta) tea woM o»ea DsamtkaUa lo&ilida 

wMi aa air of floom, wUdi saadaaadtfcUi friii ^dMaaai Maf. 
aalolboiialoaaMoftesaMlaBcMy^ ■p* mr\ \ I wp m pifc l ii i^ at oiaa Us 

iko'^affiiaa ^adarwUih ba 
oQMoiatlon aod afieviadoB wUdi bar affNliaar<dodM*aaHpil« 1 Wkaaaiioa jIn 
urn wpan te BaUsii^^ln.>teie'iHin iinrtis ii|||» ia teV Iw 

^^^f ^HB WVHb ^B^^^I^yHB^^^^ fli9*4w wWM^H^V^V wB|B^w^lV^B^V 



BBSMBMINS am LAOTiOm 



«Mli«4r>«Mtf this wilwifft Mi ■Ae.n^ Mfe 

1 pitf lhet»«|»»eMV^<>^«K^millACinl4KC or 
aiif to thte, ay teMond pmMb *i« 1 thM deoDiie. TSm^.whMiciiqlfiaU 



i» 



tae «e the tMrmw of Ibe fooaf man etinc^ a^ liioyiaf 
ly if«M tbe wHte fca d dayi and alghta that tlic anWe 
wtai ihe obienwd the mdaBckoly tiate of mini njijlflr 
wWdilMrMo labaaicdyaodliltalilcrllaisaflrlla, n^Maeaodwat the abode of 
ikmtp fWilcMM»aDd aftetloo, triad every cflbrt that her lofe lor herhrother 
eealdsimMty loeUdt fton hteboaom the caoieof his heary aflictioo, so that 
ihe Might \mfui «» hba that ooafert and tyapathy which the knew 90 well 
hewtehetliw. Bet aU her eiwta^ like thoae of her mothecp fidled^ end, at 
Icaglh, aedaff hew greatly their laMiortonitiee appeared to add to hit aogaiah, 
they a haadoaed the a tlt a i pl , and mentally ntcered their ferrent piayerf to 
hnaven theft tiaM aighft rednee aad nUiaMiely haniih the trouhle nnder which 

Aft^v w^9 ^^v^^v^HW ^^aann^v^^ww eaa^^B e^Bnaaa^v ^H^^^isn Q^a^neBHMa^^piB T*avAn wg^^^ ^Maeg^^we 

Thiihopewai eoa nwhat raaliaed; thehnatleaadeicitepBnt of waraoooen- 
gifid hie awentleB» aad gradnaUf appeased, if it did not entirely trinaiph, 
o?er his secret sorrow ; it settled into a calm bat nnshakcn serionioess which 
faveadeapcrfotesesltehlseharaeter, andeMilsd the most fbrventceamisera- 
tleB ef aU who kaew him. 

Althaaghliefd RayaMsd had had omay adraatageoni oppeetnaltles ef many 
lag, he had InfarUbly dciMard, and seeaMd» indeed, to have abandoned all 
iheeghta of matrimeay^ and to have wedded hiwsilf entfaely to the. hattle-deld> 
Qidtel Indnd, wsm the deeds he had tome p rnfm-aii d, ai|d maay a sialwait 
had Me the weight of his ann. On the plalaa af Fa is et iae he had 
pwd^lee ef vtfenr, aad no mm eloed higher In the teeav ot Me 
sovereign Richard the Flwt, than Lord Haymsnd.ai> Aamalph. He had leeelved 
■MMf Mafi^^mia^mA wtMk» of hls omoMi. ood jBtut wnro^ hta neand oomnesM 

i> asms whs anih d dmt dlil! aad biiwii they uegld iMd masL 

Aewe have.heiioMminthNMd, Leed Bafmend had fcanintly been a vIiMm* 
when he was to ITngland, at <<Tbe Fh«an/' aad had often oppartnaitifj ef 

heanleiWUeh to daeali Inteaesied all who brfirid her. 

wnen ^Miy oHnrena mnwv WMsp novmanmsiB nm^niww^ wncs as wofnm 

herepriagn^ tele all the UXL hleem^and f^aibam of wswaabeni; pesseifed 

elefiiy iadi«m t a% aatasal aad aenaMl, and wUh thai deUsaoy and pmkp ef 

■hid whlii me wnmsaPb fiimiii nhannt, Helri(ai thf etoaaeatthMftpwi 

ehemd teiplNdfmWe hmHinbtt ii*e» he-feeaUed to hia 

iiciMf etmMh Um^emneihtef im etrsngm than Hat paarfan he 
wv ^Mvineea mnaaiiea wt neaoBk ., .^ ^ 

With isatfinti lath aerdtees^lr may eadlf^he «mijmptd< WhjM^ the 
I iif his leid<i^ng the awIM jjdiati aphs mideh had tonfy-ncjegmidy and 

in^eg ih i ma tog ag firilf el <^tig h, mhis | ii n j | pm 
of the mmder of the nnfsreaaate S s ^e l re BegteaM, he had the m ee l . y |i ct 



;fi<MMotr/* *»'ti^f|--~f-^'— ^''^ '- I rtii i rTf ^lifltmr pH iiii r^H i n 

tfoe Qtld^lik prattedonr of ftealpli^Lt^» He fP» <imgtiiliii,»wt bote- 

^&M'iAm ibe was dotdy letaled «^-ik0» mmI -te teMr 'Umi «Im IM^teea 

broaght ap wHb Godfrey; IbittAeifiM Mb iMnriMli^iiidlMVQiridwltel 

inppoiclbat tbe entertriacd tbe vtmoet afltetfoA fir bla ; tbewKNtt tbeubpck 

'tMl efem fmdd In aU^ pto b abi lH y ^ to btr fteOagf, h» Ceifid iini|ai be 

UMBded wNb tbe «ioet tnl eomeqwnoei. Of tbe atiMl fanta wbi^.aab- 

llit0A between tbeniy be bad not any mispMoB. Tbeie ibeiigbhi, ladypuiidial of 

ift^ eonmon feeHngt of bomanltyy prompaed Urn to enn bimaelf to- dM^fery 

' titmoit to' CBfabUsb ibe Innooence of Godfref^ and to briof to p«ai|haMni«be 

assasdot of RegioaM. 

ninnllifc and bb Wrdridpeonvcraed tome time npon tbb prinlbl wdijictj^uid 

* ' at 'togtfky Lord RayiMmd advlied tbe ibmier la tee Us son wMi aU paasibk 

cip e dldd n, audio advlte wHb bin lo bear op agabisi te ailsfbifBni ■ ihai hsil 

90 suddenly come upon btm, and tbal in tbe flieanftaie» be we nM nse all bis 

ex^rcfont to gain bit BberaHon and eicnipatlon ftom tbe frigbtliif criaw of nidch 

be was aecnsed. H^ also pr ai s e d to visit tbe yonog ouui In bk dnagson as 

lOon as be hadiefldrned ftom^lr Bgbert da Couoy'Si wHb wbon be was going 

' to eoosblt is lo tiie best way it wonM be prodent to ptoeeed to attain-ibe 

ol^ectbf fbeirwtsB«9. 

"^ItMitpb de Lacy, on leaving tiK- prison of bis son, dowly wipdrd bis «^, 
In a gloomy mood, towards tbe bin, nwditattng in wbat nMMMMr It wnobt.be.best 
'" ^r lilkn fo'etideafonr to- soften tbe aagnlsb of bis wife and Bmaentee. Com- 
•^pteely'rtitftri i eCed lh>in an tbat^was pas^nr atmnd blm, be bad^proeeedfd to 
" 9omt distance y>b bis road, wben, by tbe reieetlon of tbe son, be^ all an naoe, 
fcUdd^e shadow of some olijeet on fbt grass, and snddenly pansi^g, km sabied 
^bls eyes, and aras astonlsbed* and sooewbat startled, to behold, Isnning against 
' tbe withered trunk of a tree, and wiAi bis de t f» l ao bto g eyes tend^tfdfestly 

nponbbn, tbe Wizard of tbe Olen. -^^ 

^'"'•'Avaiint! fiend, deritr e!Ccbdnitd Rinalpb, " DbatiMtt ant aiy pn^^-tby 

sigbt strikes borror and dlsgnst Into my sonl I Wbcnnrer tbon 'appaaasbast, 

despabr and niltery fellow; even new, 1 feel tbat I am sntferlag under-tblne In* 

^femd9pe!lt! Avannt, 1 say !" * ^ ^ ./• 

^' «<Ha! ba! ha! Rannlpbde Lacy, then tbon feelest at laattbtt power wMcb 

ibdB dtdstventoTc to d^seT^'taid tb^ Wtiard, bi tbnl pesnUartooe^olaaiae 

^''WUchcoaldnotfeBtoimpartborror to«M«tediofdll tbdsa wba heaad i» at 



**& same thne m dettonhieal smtfe e ive ls p nad ^ bis tenlfic f6atorea> ^^^ntwell, 
' W well, aRitfttst aefcnowMK^ aid'feartba poSasviof BalnftiMrCMcwS-Ud I 
'lottlDlbeet6itthedfrl'BfnnisHnawMMbttbaoaasn«fayseiytolbaer m 
-'-'^'llioo dUst; dtad bcMr/^lMM tbb b«iryer* <« bnl fnwirani and-fntttksa 
'IliftbiftbedMhrairiiaiM^MNtHpassibM*'' .. i . ^ . 

* '•^^tban iMltiee d»dn. Old ftudtpnogaoatlsaianU whIdKbas nanphtppsaed 

tatbyaanl** ~. •*; •:•. ^..•.. , .• <>«.•.* 

"^ >^lVlfe,1to> M »,*^W H iit*ed H sn yl pii i^knt i rtf i n ia a a w Mi r ^ .- ^*«w 
'^ ^^Vi^^^fMfitfHMlt mus^ m an fcvUl iaa l p fc da. Iiaag^^idit ikaiwdiafi^ 
*<»WMl/lkn<rloa#»Hbo1mnnir«lebadnnfao^ in^«UA tbMM^dalelf Jabeld 



fO mmxKmuvnm mb IiAOv;^ M(j 



cttotioB whidi the wwds of tlM winid «kMI» << wka mmmI iMi I" 
i^Tfaii OeMresr, Jliy tw, Jmb poNtend hb pranni JAeHf «i the^iloitl 

httiDftB Moodt aad b«eQtt4ibe*«Mdiie of tefmy nd crine-r* 
<«Uir!" tbgdM IUBwil^» i » W Mi f» " tboawMitkBmw^V' 
*MiKredalMillMir cried fhe minrd, liln cpi nnif eiiu lo flulifiwi, "" ^^ 

flumprctemwtto d eiib f ie! lletitni,llwQ»iethepriMa«MidkMnialMBiralii«f 

And wltfaoM Msrbig aMMbtr wtidy Ibe wteid find i^ea ld»«fris of aa«i 
BdOtts triamphy aad toiolBg from fctey alaoil taMwdiUdf diiiMiMfod. fimi 
fight, letfing Rtnolidi io o stMe of oonplete itopeflwtion. 

When Rtoitlpli lud in fone ■i —i i w o m ^ fimi lheboaoraiMl«Mze« 
ownt Into widdi Hie appeMyuwt of Hm wiiMd» and li» wordi be bod fifcn 
ttltennce lo» had thiwni hte» he ehMpid hb hnndi to Ids fonhcid with is- 
tanieeg(wiy,ondiBOflceoftfcemoet |nn >e ifta e me <g n »aied»- 

«< Good God! fihal hsvelheud?--OMilbe OMOilioMof this owhd bdng be 
tnie?-«-Im|XMlbie! and yet hofo not one potDon of Ids teiriUe praUctiooB 
been tfieady Mfined, and why thonld I Inger donbt him ?— AbM I tbeie Is 
m cane open me and mine, and notbbig bat ndsery appears to be allotted to 
us!-— Ob, let me back to tbe prison and learn al once the worst 1** 

With an aiiHaled step he tuned from the spol^ and with the moit horrible 
apprdienslons retmeed his way to the prison. He had not proceeded &r when he 
psre d fo d Lord Raymond mnning iowanis him with a wild air, and the ntmosl 
agltidion eipiessed in his oaontanaaoe* On bebolding De liScy approaching him, 
he started, and in a foke which bespoke the angi^b of bis mind, esdaimed,— 

<« Ah ! De Lacy, then retamod? Hast then, then, heard of the terrible 
catostiopbe?^ 

«< What omastraphat what has ooooired? Ob, spsak,myUurd,andeDdatoaoe 
this horrible state of luspense !" ftmntlcaUy cried Raonlpb. 

*< Oodfinqr has eeoaped from confinement," rcpBed his ordshtp, '* pad the 
gaoler and three of tlw sentinels hate been fiNmd cmelly motdered at thdr 



tf 



<« Horror! horror!" gasped forth Raottlpb, while the blood seemed aU at onca 
totreeaeinhlsfslnsy'^donotndne ears deoslfe me? Who bath been at work 
todo thisi Who can hare ooaudttcd theae bloody deeds for tbe purpose of 
bringing disgrace ipoo my naam* and to break the hearts of his distracted 
parents?** 

« I bmeeeh thee," said Lord it. Aawalph, veprmringas mach as poariUe bis 
real fecIlogs» ** I basaaeh Ihee to campeia thyself* good Raonlpb, and walk 
with me to the cank, whcee wo may eonsnll tofother on this dreadfol.dr- 
cnmttSDce, and I will tsU thee everything as fiar as has ooam within my know* 



ft 



My God ! sartlf cannot bemrake," cried ibe distracted Do LaGy,alBMilt 
nacoDidons of whsi St* Asiijiph had last aaid to him i .*' it must besomo&lgb^ 
IM dtf oston fhnt I «m lahaarfar tnfier I Gadfrap. my son, my poor boy, stain his 
hands in hnman btoa«,^a«her Ito maetklha fiMl cbaige irtJch bad been brdog^ 
against him ?^lmposilble! No, no, I caaaot, I dare not beliefe It !— This is tfte 



«U ■ J MHMK r povmiiivo. 71 



walk«fitfM%MidMlorMBb Bsi to.lfaiiik «i It Is MdiMif l«44l 
«• to Ike prim, wlHM I «nitt OMt MMiriA Hm cnuh r 

«ll^ M, «Mi M, iriHi wm, Db Uoy/* «tfimd Lord Rai«o«d, tnUiig 
Bii am, Mid tadUf tailBi hte la ilM diMiiM of ilM Mik ^ 81. Asw^ 

In «w BflMMlae, «w mAIn of tli» IMMIM «r •* Ite FIi^M,'* •• miar be ei- 
peded, wweiee tiMeof gieeltfelraM, ■lihengh they wmt t pweeet ipMUDt 
If Ou ifte j I m l i g impet 1mm priMs, nd the dceedMdfeQaietaDeot thet hed 
Mevied. Hb nsthet'e legriih wm alaeei pMl eedimBee, and she wm te 
hoonln a Mrte e# viler ioMHlbltttf , aad BnuMritae was diaf to aU the le- 
flooetnuieee aad aqpeaMMlooa of eld Hubert Cl—haai, wiie, to toll the troth, 
at wdl aa his dame, wai in a fery BtHe better cend k ion, and auKh needed that 
fortHade and reHgnatlon witfi fifaldl ho eeoijht to Inipiio ollieri* Uicy waited 
molt amdonsly tfie relnm of R aortp h , and It was pllh Uto nfeat dUBealtj thai 
Habert oonld prefent his nieee (wlien ahe had regained her iCMibllltj), from 
hastening henelf to ike prison) and nsMng Into the piesenoe of her unfortonoto 
sonysoinrapportablewastbeanzlelf wMchshefaHtoseehlnu fimncsdnetoo, 
ibe wonld freely, readily Iwve aroonponled her, and II l o ^air ed all the fanness 
and resoIotioD the innlneper eooM m ns m, to piefent them from potting tMr 
wishes into effect, which, fai thdr tfien agitated and frantic state, woold, asost 
Uliely, hafe been prodactife of the most paMd r ea nU i, and eoold hore rendered 
ihem no good, bat on the contrary, onl^ serfo to shake tiie ner?cs of Godl^, 
and to Increase their own misery. 

*' It is useless to gi^e way to this ot ei w h e lml ng aflictlon, stece sorrowing will 
not mend it,'' obsenred old Hubert, "we shoold not, eoosdons as wo all aloof 
Qodf^s inaoceDce, despair. He mast he Me trfnasphanHy to rsbvt this hUe 
oos duuge, and, for I see my part, not the sl^nhtest efidenoeagalnsi him, eiespt 
the fiict of bis bdng fbnnd standing ofertiie body of the nnlsrtoaately mnidersd 
yoath« and Ids weapon stained with blood, wUch cooli enrily have been done 
by acddent. To be sore, many knowing Ills love Ibr Emnestinet aright saspeel 
Mm of having been excited to do sneh a dsed, by jeahmsy, he bsing njeded, 
and Reginald afltanoed to EmnesHne." 

*' Ob, no, no," eidafaned Bmnestine, the deep red bloshes of maiden modesty 
monnting to her cheeks, " they were Arlends, the beat of friends, and U was 
not long befiore GodCrey and Reginald left Ae Inn togetiier, that Unt fattter for- 
Idted all dalm to my hand, and abandoned his soil In ftoonr of him who has 
ever had possenion of my heart. TUb day, Uhad been Rlglnald's Intention to 
have nrged onr passion to thee, and to have sn ds av o ni od to paisnade thee to 
ssosent to onr nuptials. Ob, Reginald, generous, Und-hearled youth, little 
Odsl thon think of the dreadfid, the nntimely IMe wUdi wu so soon to belUl 

Wt&Q • 

« Is this tme V* asked Hubert, eageriy. 

- ** Thinkesi thon that 1 would givo ul la ianii to that whicH was otherwise 
than tme?" demanded Emnestioe, vrith a Mk of astonlshaMntal tfte observa- 
Ikms that the innkeeper had made use of. 

•^* Kay, nay, pardon me, cblUT," tM Hiibert,*'! meant not to say «Qt» bat 
lay.mlnd is so distracted, tiial T scarcely koow^arhat lam gMng ntterancelo. 
But, pr'tbee seek to compoiie thyMf, my poor glH, and all amy yet be wel]. 



72 XBNKE8TINE DE LACT; OB, 



Prtvideoce will not miflrer the InDooent to (all t fktiByMd liiit 1m is gtOtttif^ 
who tkithtt known Godfrey de Laqr, wtll attOMpt Co deny V 

Enmestioe dgbed beavlly* whlioiit mtkibg «ny reply, and ninaiaf ttwudi 
Edith, who was weepliiff vlotentlyy she ssfideotly stifled her owo esotfoay lo 
eBdea?our to impart consolation Co her, who had been to her OMre than a 
OMther. 

Hoar after hoar waned away, and erentag advaneed, hot still Banolph de Lacy 
did not retomyaod their audety Co Imow the reason of his juotraeted absenee, 
exceeded all bonads. Hnbert and the others fre^pMocly went to the window, to 
see whether he coald behold him appitMichhigy bnt efcry time he was more and 
more disappointed. « 

" Oi?e me my doak, dame/' at length he said, '* I wiU go forth^ aad see if 
I can meet him ; something parUailar mast hafe taken place, or he would nerer 
have tarried thns." 

Old Maad reached down her hnsband's cloak, which hong upon a peg in 
the parlour, and haHng pat it on, he was abool to sally forth, when an 
exclamation of astonishment, not onmisfd with terror, from Emnestinc, ar-' 
rested his attention, and drew the ob s ai i atJ o n of himself and Edith to- 
wards her. 

'« What ails thee, child V inqnhred Hubert, as he advanced towards the spot 
where she was standing, " What has aiarsMd thee ?*' 

'* There, dost thou not see those men approaching so hurriedly this way?*' 
said Ernnestine, pointlsg in the direction on which her attentbn was rlfetted ; 
** they are certainly coming hither, and now they adfance nearer, they look 
agitated, and— what can hafo happened ?" 

Hubert had immediaftdy fixed his .eyes opon a mob of soldiers and others, who 
were hurrying towards the inn, and although he pretended not to be so, he was 
?ery little less alarmed tiian Emnestlnc« and instantly fbreboded some addi- 
tional calamity. Howefer, it would not do to let his wife or the two other 
females notice Ids agitation, or it would have Increasad theirs, and hare rendered 
it a scene of oonfiuion, which might not hafe been easily orercome, and in as 
Arm a rcrfce as be had Che power to assume, he obsotTtd:— 

" Nay, my lofe, do not agitato thyself ; why should we fear ? We are innocent 
of any crime, and — — " 

, A kmd knocking al Che outor door Interrupted Hubert's speedi, and It not 
bciag opened Usmcdtetdyy It wasloUowed by a series of kicks from numeroui 
feet, interminglad with the sannd of acfeiai voices. 

Hubert, leavlnf Emnes^ein the care of his wife, went to the door, which 
he opened, and he had no sooner done to than the room was half filled with 
people. 

"Marry, and what Is the naion of this abrupt entranoe into my houier* 
demanded old Hubert, musCerlng up SMre firmness than might have been cs- 
paeted.— ^^By the mass, and It does appear as if thou wert bent to take It by 



• 9 

1. 



" Bfr Lady," answered one of *tha uMn, who seemed to be the head of Ike 
ptt%f, *'an' I am much adttaken if thou dost aotdeserre to have thine 
yuUai about thine ears. Bat 1 have no time to bandy words with thee 



i 



tmm MaiiB'i wovsnuva* 



pittrd the outer dooti) ud tee to the ememeott. Hobert Ctraibuii ii Ihs 
atmt ot the kioi, I deouMd u Much, well) tb; fnmiatt." 

"FwwbM?" tIcnilrileBUHledHibert. 

"For arillaln!" mi the laconic repl^. 

"Urwhomdatt tbon ipeakf Muter Hubert Ciwthaia U twH la the baUl or 
bubonrlag lilUIiK Id hli boiuc, kovrt '." 

. " We Mek Godfrey de Im:j, who siaadt cbirjfd irftfa the nnrder M Lord Sl> 
Aiirolpb** Eiqnlrc ;" Mid the min. 

" VPbtt meanMt tboD?" lukcd the utoaUhed Habcrt, iiul looking cegerlf Ik 
tte eonDtenuce of the officer u he demudedlheijiintlaii, 

"BjrSelnlPMil!" cried Ibeoaeer, "and thoti art not Indeed BoconKtoQi ot 
.the drcuniMuice, old mta, tbon Klcit thy put to a mlrade. BM thow tBt net w 
IgBOiHtM Dot to know that lappoied muderei hu madehta SMlpe hWfri u M 
lU«d>r,«i)d,lnonkrto effbcl td* ol>iect, b>tb ibed the Hood o( ifceiaoler ud 
tiw liatiBeU who ebetrocted him." 

A iMd ud idndni ihriek from EdHh bllowed tbli ■peach, and ibe naki 
ipfwcailj lUeieu, npoa the floor, while EniDcitlDe aeeHod oonpletely tiMWAMd 
l» te no* in ilaidfied atMicmiBDE aod horror, and did not appear lo Bare a 
■■de •( bar eoutenance. 

. Sidi tni tbc ^tafion wUdi the ihock cauMd to the mind of Hnben, that be 
watoaUt to ipeak, while tbc oOcer, flTles lone bMtf toitrocttoni to bis mm, 
'Jonrt to faim and iM I- 

■w.VCoBC, come, old inao,li U uieleu for thee lo pretend lo all thli i[naraace 
■ (*>. 10 . 



of tbe matter i thoa knoweH ftiU w«ll that the itiiie U eUher coooetfod In 
thy hoaie» or Ummi kooweil tlie place where ha is aecratad. He camiot escape 
the hands of Jiistloe« and aU those who ooDiii?e at his cooceahneot, idll not fidl 
to meet with that poolshment wlrich such aa offeooe dcMnres.'' 

*' It caoDol be tr«e»" at length qfacohiled Habert» wMtft 'Mt is soma base 
fiMcatioo of the bndn« to tortnre aa Innocent fkmilj, Oodfircy de Lacy fled,— 
imposMUe I" 

^IteUtheeitis true»"replM the oflloery <<bitt this pretended astonishmeat 
will not avail thee; then kaowest fall we]l,oldnian» all about H, and prabahly 
thiokestto detain metn conTciae, while the mwderer Is effecting his escape from 
hence. Oaatd wdl every entrance, com ra des, and aee thai no person quits the 
boose, while I prooecata a strict search after the f og^tlve." 

His orders were promptly obeyed, and the oflker and two oihen, left the 
apartment and retired op-stahi, while those bdow daailned every nook and 
comer. In which it was likely that a human being oonld be concealed; but of 
course. It was viithoot success. In the meantime, poor dd Hubert paced the room 
iaa state of the utmost distraetion, and could scarcely believe but that all he had 
heard was a mere delnsion, wUdiever way it was, however. It seemed thai they 
were doomed to heavy trials, and he shuddered when he roBected upon the 
sbocklog effect It would have upon his parents and Emnestlne. 

Edith was still insensible, and was being supported In the arms of Maud, while 
Ernnestine remained transfiied to the spot, the emblem of horror and despair. 

Id a few minutes theofficer and his companions returned to the parlour. 

<< Well," said the former, << at any rate, the fellow Is not there, and it appears 
that thou hast been no more saecessful In thy search down stairs. They have 
managed the bushiess well, bolstiU, I am resolved thai he shall not ehMte ov 
▼igUance. I know not wheUier I ought not to take tiMae people Into custody, at 
any rate, two of ye shall remain behind here, and take up your quarters for 
awhUcuntilftUflhtimasasthaAqltivelsretdren, oraomedneascovered to tiie 
place of his concealment. The rest of you follow me.** 

With these words, the ottoer and his companioas left the ion, witii the ex- 
ception of the two man whom he had chosen to remain behind. In oider,thal they 
atight keep watch* 

While this was golagOBv Hand had reatoved the Insensible form of her niece 
into an inner chambar, and Emnestlne was, by the order of Master Hubert, con* 
^gned to the cam of a Idnale servant, who led her tnm the apartment into the 
rhambnr whlob waa appaapriatad to her use, where every thing that humanity 
^ould suggrit wia dona to trangnHHfe her feellogs, after the severe shock they 
had received. 

As soon as the finsialesweraaakan east of, and the two men who had been left 
at the Inn, had been served with an axcayent aaek-possat, the good quaBtieaof 
which tiiey seaawl eapsMe of aaeiasing wHh no sBMdl. lability, Hubert* vnAhk to 
endure tiie state of sm^ense and horror which the assertions of theottoer had 
qdted, pnt on his rkiair, a»d hfttitehooscdetrnwlnedtoinakothe best of his 
«ay to tilt pcisan* to awsitala the paitiorian of tim shoekiog afUr, and. If 
pasriUa,to]earathocaaseeftiieptotraetedabsenoeof Barnlph. Ashewalked 
alqogi tiie naai dtanl tks^hti and appwhaarinas caaaaad hli mind, and his 



'THE BOSBBBS' VOUNBLING. 75 

wtm tort fiere soon oooftraMi by the penoos be met» who were ell fall of the 
wmierMcicepe of Oodftvy de Leej, and horror-etrack at the dreadlU crtaiet 
faewuiiM"Wdtohi«eperpitreldlloeffiBelldideeigii. Thefeeiiogsoftbepoor 
old mtti, ioeapable as he knew Godfrey to he of the awM crimes Imputed to 
him, may be easily imagtoed, and he tottered on towards the prisoB, amid the 
oommiientleB of some, and the bnual remarits of others, who had been the 
loiemDtt to express their horror and d tHj s taUo n of the criiaes oomsritted, and 
the hst to lean to the side of mercy, and not co n demn the nnfortnuate yooag 
maa, nntH Us gollt was made IWy manliest. 

The iocervlew between Lord St. Afwolph and the nnfaappy Rannlphde Lacy, 
was a h^ng one; and. In ?aIo, they sought to Ut npon some plan to bring abont 
Uie dt f e ic i pe inflnt of this strange and wmfid aMr, and to aoconnt ibr the &• 
appearance of Godfrey under the drcumstaooes refarted ; bm the more they con* 
fcrsed npon the 8nb)eet, the mora did they become bewildered, and, at length, 
Ihey separated, without having come to any salisfimtory con dnsten , only being 
icsohed to Qse the most indetetigaUe eiertioBs to disoorer the letieat of the 
oa/brtnaate yonth, wfaldi tras the only cfaasce they bad of solfing the mystery. 
Certainly suspicion was now stronger than ever against Godfrey, lor if he had 
M ftmn the prison on fahi own accord. It had a great app ear an ce of the eon« 
scieasaess of gniH, or he would otherwise have met ids tHslwlth that flnnaess 
which ever characterizes the person accused wrongAdly. But It was very evident 
that he most have had some assistance, and the most probaUe idea they could 
form was, that Godflrey had been made the dupe of some villains who had some 
sinister design in view, the nature of which they wereutteriy at a loss to fbrm 
the least coejecture of. 

At length, unable to come to any dedded satlsteetory condoslon, Ranidph de 
Lacy fitted 0ie castle of St Aswolph, Lord Rayasond having prevkmdy amured 
him of the deep interest he totkla the pidnftil afldr, and of his determinattM 
todo all that was in Us power to owivel the myatery In which It was at preoent 
entdoped, and in spite of the recent dicumslances, to do all that he could to 
emke the innocence of GoMey apparent. 

It was late in the evening when Raoulph de Lacy reached the ten, for he 
had been to bis own residence first, not knowing whether or not Ui wife wm 
«eie,andhe was afterwards in tooviotenla stsae of agltatfon to venture to the 
first-named phuse. Howcould he ever Impart the hortible Insrillieace of God- 
frey's flight, and the several murders he was supposed to have oommitied in 
effecting the same, to Edith and Ernnestfne ? They wouM nover be able to 
support the knowledge of tUs shocUng event |— it wooU certalniy km them, 
or beiuave tlicm of Odr eenses, and when he luaaembered the kmentaUe state 
hi which he had left Us wifb and Bm netti ne, when he fuitted the inn In the 
asomtng, he saw nothing but despair arwsnd Um. 

Mewattdeied fiirseme Hme in the wood, reflecting upon these drcMutances, 
and seeUng in vidn to remember anytUng wMch mi^ Inpart a 4ngle ray of 
hope or comlbrt to «iem, but aU his eAstts were uaawaiUble. Agate the pre- 
dieMM or «M witavd reeurred to bis nemary, ami Hm usanuer in which Hi^ 
hki been 80 fitf rerffaed, hnptemed itself moot powerfaUy upon Us mind. But 
i^shouM Fate p«MO IAbwMi tnvMee eo sevm«?-4fhat Imd be ever done 



• 
th»t he nhonld thos iacnr the wrath of the Almifblf ?«-U HfimAJA4hM^ 
some Infenial ipdl was npon hin. aad Raoalph de Laej^ wha had hMberlo 
4C9fiica to gife,.wa| to the weakoets of grief, aoak beneath theie aecwnnlaled 
lOHihle«» and becaoielni^ wretched. . 

Bat, that Godfrey was goiUletf of the cHovsi Unputed to buBg he was oonideaAi 
hUnobleB (^afirtiiaM natare anahl revolt at the bare ideaof auchatracily. Bj 
Whatoeaiuhit.eicapa fhwi the pdMA had beeo effeded, aodbf wboni«iloe%l 
i(«» certain he ooohl aol haire done It hiimelU ^ wai the laoat at a leii la 
coi0^ure« Bat what could ever indiioe aajr one to nw each a rlika and hew 
m^ they have peiaoaded Godfrey to their idshes» and thoa tocMt opoa kimM 
the stigma of belaf gaUty of the Crimea of which he waa aoBaa«t?-*Ia va^ 
he sought to solvt the terrible nystery; the norQ h» JWDiaateivvpea H^ the 
degpjir.did he bcoooM iDfolved in perplexity. 

Tlredof wanderiagy in this dismal mood« be had plaeed his baclt againal the 
trnukofatiae» and with his anns iUded across his ehest. was lndaJging4n thea^ 
gloomy reflections, whan he was startled by hearing soom one proooMBot Ua. 
name. He looked op, and beheld standing before him the tall and m«iioalarlpn» 
QCamaot envekipedinahaie m an t i ti whowaagariag earnestly npon htoa# Hisf 
featores were rqgnlar and ha n i i o m ^ and althongh Rannlpb conid not aflinllnati 
wher« and under what drcnaulanoes he had seen him before, the coontf nnoea q4 
the man was pcrfocHy fomiliar to him. 

V Rannlpb dc Lacy,*' repeated the stranfir. 

" Who art thottt and how knowest then my name ?" dem an de d the bftwjwr. 

« It matters not," retnmed the other, '* I am thy friend.'* 

•' How am I to discover that l" 

« By the services I shall render thee." 

''Mcthiuks thoo boastest vainly, stranger," said Rannlpb^ with an incredttlong' 
shakeoftbebead,'* why sheoldst then wish to serve me?" ^ ..^ 

'* Ifi return for the good thon onoe did me," was the reply. ^ 

«<.Ah!" excUimed Ranulph, looking camesayio the man's £noe, bat still he 
coald not recal to hU memory where he had seen him before^ althongh be waa 
firm^ eonvinced that this was not .the first time they had met. '< To what dost, 
thou allude ?— What good hafe I ever done thee?" 

** That thou mayest know at some future time," replied the anui, ** at present^ 
it is enough for thee to know that I can and will serve thee." 

" How ?" 

<• By earing the life of tbyson r 

*^Ah !" crifd Banulpb, " what knnwea than of him?" 

*' That he is safe, and will shortly be restored to thee, when bis innocence^ 
the crimes of which he Is unjustly accused, can be clearly established." 

'< Liar t" peculated Rannlpb, ** thou comest here to sport with the feaUngs 
of a broken-hearted father, and to endeavour to excite hopes in hia bosoM . 
which tboo bast not the power fo rraUz(>y 

'* Not so warm, Ranulph de Ucy," said the stranger^ dispassionately, *' thorn 
dost me wrong by tby suspiclops. '* I t^U thee again* Godfrey, thy sgn,^^ uki^ 
and under my prou^tion I" . . . , . . 

*< Impossible !" said De Lacy. « and whp aqd Wbnt grt,thoa ?' 



>»» 



THE ROBBBA's FOUNDLINO* 77 

« 

«•« OneirbaM name Is fewred by all.' 

*■ OsiMiMly tlM Afeoger !" wis the soswer, tod without wihlof to tay another 
wordj the rohher-captido torned opon his heel, tod befbre Ranulph conld reoofer 
tkm hit asionMiiMBty was ovt of sight. 

<* Cttk what I have heard be true ?" ejaculated Hanalph, when he was restored 
U a eoBidomess of what had happened to Mm. <* Ah e the words of the 
wtaardf they an corrahorated ;— d i d he not tell tot that tny poor boy had becotte 
tfM asaaelme of the votaries of erloe and Infamy ?— Good God I how conld my 
son In a awment of weakness thus degrade himself, and bring misery and dtsgraee 
'optn lib nnfaappj fimlly ?— Bat I will seek bhn out ;— 1 wdl to this i^bber^ 
retreat, and Inslit npon seeing hhn." 

He tamed to go towards St. Alwyn Castle, when he stiddenly bethought him- 
sdf* tkaty aa It was now getting late, and his abeenee fkrom the inn had been 
pnniat l id beyond the time they had ezpeeted him back, a considerable de;il, and 
ti«t Ihey woald be alarmed lest anything shr»ahl have bappencd to himt he re^ 
iiivfd to deier hll vMt to the robber's retreat nntil the foHowIng morning, whe« 
ha woM at all risks go, and ascertain whether or not the robber*chlef had 
gptfleiiiliefratht bat, stBl he con s idered it woold be best lofhlm not to say 
MiyttHig tar flkem aboot what had oceored to Mm, and that wonld save them a 
oMislderable deal of care and anxiety, at the resolution which he had formed. 

Having come to this determination, Ranulph de Lacy slowly directed his foot- 
siepa ttiwards " The flagon/' meditating with terror upon the misery whfeb the 
recent dreadfhl events would cause them. 

Old Hnbert having been nnsuccessftal In seeking f6r R«nulph, had returned to 
the inn, and right glad was he when ha saw him come back ; bat the gloom, the 
heavy cmre whirii was settled upon his brow, told him how deeply the barbed 
arrow of sorrow had entered his heart, Edith *was still in a very melancholy con- 
dition, bat somewhat more composed than she had been In the mom^pg. Bm- 
■citlae, too, was better, or rather she had made a povrerfol effort to stide her 
own l<pellogs, for the p«rp09a •f eadeavoaring to impart consolation to Edfth, 
aad In which she had succeeded much better than could have been expected. 
The ciMiadoasneu of Godfirey's Innboence, and the certainty which »he felt that 
Omnipotence would not permit him to suffer for the guilty, tended to arouse her 
tnm the afflicting state of despondency and despair under WMch she had at first 
safered, and Raoolph felt modi reUeyed when he beheld her. 

The return of De Lacy added to the composure oT Edith and her foster- 
daoghter, and he exerted Mmself to the utmost to add to the good work which 
Braacidne.had begun, in which' he succeeded beyond his most sangulns cy.^^eu 
taiona. 

*«^The wffl'of the Almighty be done," pidusly exclaimed Edith, raising her eyes 
tiywatdi heaven, <*He knows th^ innocence of my poor boy, and will in His io- 
linlto mercy and Justice, rescue him from the danger which now threatens him." 

^ He win, He^r, dearest Edhh," said her husband, <«Iet us pray to Him, and 
atrial soch Ifeavy* douiito of |tlef nbw hang over us. He will quickly disperse " 
them, and render us once more happy !" 

The eyes of thebtdateAus^Crnnettlne once more brightened up with renewed 



78 BRNNBITINS DK LAOY; OB, 

bope. They all knelt dowo, aad with temmr mi dneerity^ devostly ofllrti a 
prayer to ^e Most High. After this they fdt more cdm aod ooUecleil> and covld 
nore coolly eontene npoh thehr Borrowa^ and tnrn eoBjectmti ae to the emae 
of Godfrey's myaterioiu dbappearanoe* At length, they reared to Mieir aepatue 
chambers for the night, where they coald gife free iadnlgenoe to ^elrfha«|ihll 
withoat any fear of bdog interropted. 

At an early hoar In the mondng, Raaidph having infonned his wife that he 
had some hndneai of Importance to go npon, left the Ina^ and proceeded thiomh 
the deep greeiMirood towards that spot where the strong cMtle of 8l. Alwya 
stood, its lofty towers behig seen ata conrideiable distance, fur (^ertopplng liie 
sammlts of the trees. Hils pUioe was careftiUy ateided hy the most ooniageoat, 
ft»r the robbers were sneh desperate rafflans, thai the vnlgar aad the sopeistkioiis 
imagined tibey wave infalaenble, and that each possessed a charmed lift.— But 
Da Lacy was an entfre stranger to fear, and If there might be anyeeofideace 
placed in the words of Osmond, (who bad told Mm he was Us friend, and that U 
was his hitentlon to serve Urn), he had nefair less caose for apprsheasioii than oo 
the present occasion. 

II was not long before he arrivad at the castle, whose black and flinty walls 
setmad to frown dciaace npea lavarioo. Bol here he was pbosd la a dlfiodtgr 
be h^d not tboaghlapan before he started. Thecaatlewassanoandedbyadec^ 
moat, and the drawbridge was drawn np, so that it was Impossible for bim to 
fsia an entrance. He was qabe bewildersd» and at a loss how to act, but to 
vstam borne wtthoat acoeaqdishlag bisoiriect^ be coald aot bear even to think 
upon for a moment; for notUag eodd ezoasd the aazialy w^iicfa he fdt to be 
aailsAed whether Osmond had Indeed spoken the trath» aad if his anfoitanate 
son was really aader bis protecdtpii* He walked roand the moatt with the hope 
of sesing some other part where ha might gala an entiaace to tbecastle, b«l he 
was ansaccessfol, and returned again to the phice where the drawbridge was 
iaed, an$crtafai how to act. He had not stood there foag, however, when the 
drawbridge was let down, and, the neat minute, several of the robbers came fortb> 
aad crosring it, reached the very spot where Ramiiph was stamUog. 

Tliey started back with no ttttle astonishment wbea they beheld De I^aey, and 
Ibe intrepid air with which ha sttfodand gated tipon them. 

*< Ah ! a stranger ?" ciied the foremast of the rofebos, ** what dost then here ?'* 

** DoabUess be woald pry lato oar sccrets»" said aaother, <* ha Is a spy» avagr 
with him to our captala." 

<* He It is 1 seek," answered Raan^h, firmly, *' yet I am no sf^." 

<<Thy wish shaU be gratified*" odd the first speaker^'' but remember tboo 
mast gjrd a good account of thyself or tboa wit base reason to repent thy boUh 
ness in coming hither. This way, foilow me.** 

BanolpbDa Laiqr folded Us araM la bis mantia, aad witboal making aay«eply 
to the robber, foUowedUm across the diawbrldgeb aad entered the castle. After 
traveitiag the <Uktta% apartamnts aad passages, wUch we have before describei, 
they at length arrived allbecaieni or vaalt. In wblob Osmond and hit ceatfaies 
were accastomed to assemble, and Baaalpb coald aot help waaderiag al aU be 
beheld, and the systemaHe maaner la whleb eveqftUag appeared to be eondoctai, 
bat the apartmeatabava aiitbwwdt ciiy>d Us espedal astoalthaif at. Ua was 



TflV AOBBBBB' FOITNBlIJNa. 79 

101^ h0wwmt loteid to lodslge in tbcie tfioogbts long, for a ftmlKar folee 
cilkd opoQ hki by name, and looking np, he behdd Ossood scaled at tbe head 
oTtlw loaf board wbenon the robbers conducted their leieb. Aboat sixty deter- 
■ioed looUag men were seited arooad the table, who arose when he entered* 
bat Immedialdyrssamed thdr scats when they heard the captain mention hit 
Dime. 

Banalph cast an eager ghuoe aroiadt thinking to behold Godfrey, bat hewaa 
osttfaerai 

** Wciaomai Banlph l>e Lacy," observed Osmond, bfckonlng the former t» 
appioaeh. "Hast then then tentared to te retreat of the daring robber dddt 
who bids defiance to those laws, which only the foolish and the sertUe obey i ** 

<«An thoB speakest the trath* yesterday," retained Ranalph, ''thoa art my 
IHsBd»thera(bre, were I oven so disposed* I hate no eaose to fsgrthfigi'! ^ 

<<TYaly spoken," said Osmond, «I am thy friead ;«-bot thoa needst not look 
soaaxlOBSiyaroand; he thoa sed[est Is not here !" 

'U sea ha Is not," observed Ranalph, sternly, *' thou faMtdecdted me. Iwas 
a fool to place any reUance In thy word." 

*'NBy, not so fost, Ranalph Da Lacy," retamed the robber, <' Osmond's word 
.was never yet broken ; Godfrey Oe Lacy, thy aoa* is In my kaeping, bat It Is 
yeiearly, and he has not arisen. UliiCyhktheetotbeGhaa^oftheyoalhaad 
hrlag bim hither/' 

Ulric bowed and left the room, aad Oe Lacy stood in trenhlingsaspeasevalil 
his retain, aad the robber chief did not oflbr to Intenrapt him. Soon^UlriQcame 
badi. bnt aloae* and alann aad fqnfoslmi were dealoted on his ftataiai. 

^HowBOw!" eairhdmfd Osmond» starthig up, *« what means tUs? where is 
the young man ?" 

<* He Is not hi the room, which was aUotiad to him to rqiose in," aas w ei ed 
inrk, << he has fled." 

<< Fled ?" cried the robber diief, la a tone of the most indescribable astonish* 
mcnt; << Impossible 1" 

<« Marry and I speak tbe truth, captain," answered Ulric, ** if thou doabtest 
me, thou canst speedily satlsiytbys^" 

'« It is a mere dieat, a Jug^e !" ewJaimed Ranalph de Lacy, in accents of 
wraA, ** thou hast trepanned me hither for some sinister purpose, my son 
was never la thy power." 

*' Ranalph de Lacy," replied Osmond, in a calm manner, <*this is no time 
to bandy words; but I tell thee again that thoa deal me wrong by the sap- 
positions thou dost entertalB of tbe motlfes of my conduct What sinister 
design tbinkest thou I ooold hsTe against thee?-^Beskles, thou camest here of 
thine own free will ; I terited thee not. Follow me, 1 request thee." 

Ranalph laid his hand on his sword, and wlthoat making another obser- 
TaHon at that time, followed the robber chief in haste tbroogh the sereral 
cafems aad passages, nntU th^ reached the apartsMat wbldi had been al- 
tocted to Godfrey to repose In. It was enthfdy Yacated, and no traces of its 
Into oecnpler were left behind. 

^rdeath !" eadalaMd OsoMnd, *'but the bird is floira to a certaintyi what 
coald bavo iadaced him ta have dotta so? The foolish boy will fimstsaie Che 



80 EANNS8TINE DB LAOT ; OBj 



ifc ea es 1 li»?e (ormiu «v« liU*lii^/«fid t& tmcnk bit cbAitctir horn n- 
pfOftcbl" 

" Aid what proof b«it thiM ta coBviDce me qj too bM ever bteMlnl*' 
demaDded Ranulpb, who being liicredukMii» eipresied bo aftooisbmeot it tlie 
drcumstance, which be tbon^t bad merely been Invented by the robber-cbief, 
to further some design or the other. 

**ikUi art tboa doabtfol?" said Osmond. " Forsooth, I tbonght better of 
thee, Ranulph de Lacy. Proof I ha?e none, if tboa wilt not heliere me ^aM 
my comrades ;— ah ! what Is this ?— A letter !— Yes, and addressed to me." 

Osmond picked nptbe letter, -which, having fallen off the table on whicb U 
had been placed, was not at first noUced. He unfolded It, and having batOf 
glanced over the contents^ he tamed to Ranulph, and placing U in his hand, tald- ■ 

** There, marry, an' thou waotest proof, meihinks thoa wUt consider thai 
sttflcient ; kcowest tboQ that hand-writing V* 

** Ah ! by the mass ! H Is my son's !" exclaimed the bowyer> recognizing the 
characters in a moment; ** here is bis name, too ; I cannot doubt any longer." 

Eagerly the fMher of Godfrey perused the contents, which were addressed t» 
Osmond, and ran as follows :— 

'< I cannot reconcile my mind to the course thou m'oaUlst I should pursue 
to gain the establishmeol of my innocence, although I do hearty thank thee 
Ibr the interest thou hast taken in my fate, and tbe risk thou bast ran, with n» 
other motives 1 feel assured than a wish to serve me. I go to resign myself lnl» 
tbe bands of the officers of the law, and depend upon the conbdousness of nine 
own Innocence and tbe goodness of the Almighty to get an aoqulttaL 

'* GOimiBY DE Lact/* 

*' Gracious Heaven!" ejaculated Ranulph, '< then, by this time, my unhappy 
son b ouce more incarcerated in that dark and loethsome dungeon, and be^ 
Beved to be the perpetrator of all those dreadful crimes t" 

** Nay," observed Osmond, <' It may not yet be too late to save him. Ranulph 
de Lacy, wilt thou entrust thyself In my company ?" 

** Thou meanest me no harm ?" remarked Ranulph* 

«< On tbe contrary, I would serve thee { I would save the life of thy son. 

** I will entrust myself with thee," said tbe bowyer. 

<< Let us away then," observed Osmond ; << Ulric, follow with fifty of oar men 
at a short distance, so that thou mayest be ready in case we should n^ thy 
essistaoce." 

" What wouldit thou do ?" demanded Ranulph. 

<< Thou shalt see anon," replied the robber-chief, " at present we have not % 
moment to lose. Come, come, we must not tarry longer, or It will be useleaa 
going at all." 

Hie robbers hastily buckled on their swords, and prepared to follow the 
Seuteoant, while Osmond and Ranulph hastened from the cavern, by tbe seme 
way they had entered it, and the drawbridge being let down, in a few momeBtf 
tb^ were ht the forest, and wending their way with rapid steps towards tbtt 
prison, firom whence, by the aid of the rebber-cbief, Godfrey had so recenttf 
made his eKape. i 



nn wiMW't MVMBum. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



Ik tfac mcMtlma tbe pcnoo* ire left it tlie boMdrfe of Hobert C 
■*T be luppiNul, wen Id ■ aMe of ibe inwi pilnfnl attxtety ud nupesie u r*> 
gaxitd Un fite «f Ibe WrfbTtmal* Oedfi^, and wbW wonid be the rMoIl of lU* 
bofilbU MTUr. SHU did bnb Edltt tad Enmettiua beban with ftr |r«Mer 
GoBpMon iban mbU potdbfybue been expected, ud tried to aw^ du UuM 
«r tbete veiT iBd«iicb<dr nd pwplezlQc dmnutaseci wllli palteoce. Ite 
Mdteaeu lUeb bad been cwMd la the aeighboqiteod, b; tba murder of 
HetUald, and the othen, beorlj IncraaHd, and the Inn wii iDnowided bj« 
ctmtd of fcnoBti «bo expruMa tbdr fndlgnatiDii b|bIdU On lappoied iiril^ 
fai^ la Ubgoife id na mj natMircd dcKrlpUoo. Tka erldncet of Oodfrar*! 
pOi qppoand m ibeac, that the cflect It bad npoo the oM* of tbe Uk tabUe 
WM too powtrhl to be tradleakd, and, notwUfaMaadhs Ibe Ugh chlrtctcr 
wbkb Um mfortanate levth had bona prerlonriji ibaj all praBoanced hta 
fMhf, and but fcr Ibe bl|h eileem la which thep UU »tlmt Ckubaa, Atj 
«mU hMB bnkaa bio (be lan, aadprahaUp bt*e caaahted tone ovm«e 
ipM Ih* iomalea. 

Mo. II 



r^^j 



1 



The brotal eondact of 1t» ifM»Qt mob-lMul i^WMt riijfri tlnn wjuhUll 
laladf #r Bmnei^ and Sdith i and Hn1itrt» idio wat Ctarftil that it ivofrid be 
faodoMre of sole fatal oonMiniaeib «t Imgth, went forth, aad, addressiiif 
sofie words to the crowd aiseaibled, iatreatod them to diipene. Hh wonts 
hU the desired eflbct) thtf uptnUy departed, od1| two ot three straggknie- 
mainediorashorttiaie befalnd, and ttnqrhafiag eshaostad their stock of iofor- 
matloo and speculation npon the dreadftil afliir, at length became tictd, and 
Blinked off also» leavinf the coast dear. 

We have before stated that Ranalph hM not interned them whither he was 
going on the mornfaig when he left earlj, with the design of t»Afltftit»nj iq the 
retreat of the robbers ; bnt his absence caused no snrprlse In the IxMoms of his 
IHendi, ae it was onl| natural to snppose that nntU some exphmation of the 
ajsterioBS aAdf, which at present engrossed tbehr whole attention, and ex- 
dted thdr deepest Intcresl^ was obtained, he woald not be able to rest, nod 
that he would make all the inquiry he possibly caald. As hour after hour 
passed away, and stUl ha did not return, they began to tel somewhat uneasy, 
and it required all the arfuments that It was in the power of Hubert to malEe 
use of, to quiet thtir appreheBshms. 

The two felkma who had been left at the inn by the aAcer, m^agti that 
guarten amailngljr, ior the refireshmenta disposed of by »loe host of the 
'* Flafoa," were of the Anest quali^, and they did not forget to pay their 
flwpeels to them as Ikiquentiy as th^ had an opportunity. In this respect, 
ifaster Hubert was no churl, and often treated them, ftv which they repaid 
him by behaving with less insolence than men of their dass were in the habit 
of doing. 

On the day of whidi we hate been wilting, they were seated in the back 
parlour of the inn, with a stiff sack-posset before them, which was the fourth 
they had already had, and so much did they seem to relish It, that it did not 
appear likely that they would be dispoMd to leave off drinking it hi a hurry. 
The effects of this goodly fiire had imparted an unusual ^w to their conn- 
teoances, and as they tumbled off dose after dose, their noses became more 
ffuhioiiiid, and their tongues wifged more flippantly* 

*' By the mass I our host sells some excellent stuff, Af andce/' f|wmi^tt^ one 
al 4iem, smacking his lips, and then taking another hearty awif, <<this Is is 
Ihal nourishes a ummi* makes him happy, aad opens ids heart I" 

f < Forsooth* Heniic, and it does as thou sayest thai ls# if k mpem a asaa*s 
tatft, what a generous, good seal thou ought labe," answawrt Almifioe^ wiah 
Bvm» '' for I never saw a man that oouU better ph^ his part with It than tho« 
cause 

<<Ua!ha! hat" huvbed genrie, "why, 1 doeonfass w that I am oo 
Ahsehnr from the g^od thhip of tbU lifb, and i'fidlb thou hMl thyself a moat 
Ihirsty throat, as methinks Master Hubert wiU And oat bafiMS we loMwr 

,«' 'Psba I HenrIc, thou dost soaodaKie my chaneier,'' said «» other, #iih «n 
ominous hiccup, «thoo knowsat AOi tieU thai I cannot bm to sea any te- 
todcathig bovfiages hefsre me." 

<.« And tharefem dOit than pus Item out of ^ht aa spardUy as thou 
quoth Henric; "I must say, though, that It U do nuclraHaiM thhig h» 



anidiiiMifilMiitooMiDoihistfcrthenBe. Oor koM la « g«»^ 



M Tim «9HC rigfeit, «« Mffry fttt I Ihil IM lutt goc tlib troobb ip bit <«^ 



*«A9t^ it to b«4 Ibr Ifativ ilabm»'' <)bMm« HMrie, <«bat his gmaA- 
toighter, ■sltrowH is^ mutt fed it more sererd j, for ReKiMM ims to have 
^etavinMtolMr/' 

<«BytlMMiato ! sbi it » beiMoas glH,^ mU H$mke,"9nii wMld not 
i^Bd^~tat, whiit ndM w»t tkit ?" 

^Ilcird ao noiso/* remarlied H«iHe« 
» ItMoiMI Wd» to ctaiioff af t ^bwr/' 

<«UlD^ cnoogb/' replied Hosio, ^htosm (» by the wind, wliicb whtoflee 
pretty slnrply. Come> tit Uieedowo agntoy md kt is lotst tiie Mr maidof 

M Him nMNoeot • tcresBi sm»te their etrtt tvlileii seemed to proceed from 
^e room op stain. 

** Hesreft thoa tliat V demanded Manrice ; ** perhaps thoa wilt tay that that 
to'ibeivladalto?** 

«< SoBMtUiig has bappeaad, it it fery plaia," said Hesrfe; and arifia^ from 
his seat, he aooompaoied Maarioa «p ttdrt. The room door wat doseiiy but 
there were Toioes of laoMotation to be heard. Not waHiog for any cereoioay^ 
Bfasrice threw open the door^ aod a toene prasso ted Itself irtleh fiHed them with 
astoolshaaenti^-Glatpiag the Idrms of the dittraeted Cnnettiae and his notkcr 
to his botom> was Godfrey de I^aey^ whiW poor old Hnhert and Mand stood 
by, the Tcry imaget of despair aad IiorrDr. 

^ By the mast ! it it the monlerer/' eielAincd Mairice. 

'•Tit fsbe,"* ejaculated Bnincstliie, la • firat toaf, aad tttndng a look of 
Indignation upon the man ; ** he Is no mnrderer; his handt 'waie Bcver'ytt 
stained with the Mood ol hit feUow«cicatnRS» and tho« shalt not tear him teom 
m, Iwttldlngto him,aadifbemnstdie,wewlUperith«9gelber!" 

** Godfrey de Lacf, thou art our prisoner," said Uenrie, adtsaneiog towirdi 
him> and attempting to remove Emnestine from his embrace. 

** Bold> pretnmptnons Tarlet," ezdaimed Godfrey^ his cheeki ^wftng wf th 
icaentaieBty at he pntbod the man away» '* lay bat a dnger apoa tbls aflisted 
dMBMel> and I will strike thee a corpse at my liset I— Nay, stand bade, bat a fsw 
aaomeatSy and 1 will attend ye ; I do not widi to tteajfti** 

The men drew bade, aad gazed on the melancholy teeae with some exprestion 
of pity. 

''Mother— Emnestine/' ejaculated Godfrey, in a vdee almost disked with 
enotiooy aad kiasliig the cheeks aod foreheads of both dtematdy, at they chmg 
with frenzied eagerness to him, and sobbed opoo his bosom, ''1 implore ye ao 
calm yonr feeliags, tud believe me when I tell ye» that all will yet be wdl, 
and that 1 shall shortly be restored to ye, without the slightest stain upon my 
character!— lU other, release me, I pray;— oh, to tve thee suffer thus, oomaBS 
ne;— Emnestine, for the love of hearen ! endeavour to restram thtae anguish; 
I nckt my brain to maduest to see thee saffer thus I Our evil star will not 



M BRNNBSTINK DB.I.A.CY; OB, 

always preside I^No, bo, my sireeCest, there are yet happier days la store fer 
at, 80 pray thee compose tbyse^, and rest assored that we shall be rettored to 
each other, when sorrow shall no longer attend as, and when I shall have fklly 
rebutted the fbal charfe which b brouffat against me ! Take them from me, mj 
oade, and eadeatoor to Impart to them that consolation of which they stand 
so mocb in need." 

" Oh, God ! my heart will burst," sobbed the agonised Edith, throwing her 
arms roond the neck of Godfrey,and hogging him yet move closely to her besom ; 
<'myson, my son, they shall not separate as; Ihey shall Botagain bear thee to 
their frightfnl dongeons 1-«1 will elin|p to thee with the power of a giant, and 
defy them to tear me from thee I — Emnestine, hold him, do not let them 
approach him !— Villains, ha?e ye no feeling ft>r a wrelohed mother ?— Stand 
off, I say^ye shall not touch him !— Hnber^— Mamd-^ye svrely will not let th^ 
take him from ns, and drag him to certdn death?" 

** Edith," obsenred Hnbert, approaching ber» and endeavonrlng to remote her 
from the arms of her son, ** I beseech thee to appease the violeoce of thy gri^f, 
which can effect no goodj and will hot add to the soffiBrlngs of thy unlbrtBoate 



>» 

I* 



'* Yes, Hnbert says aright," said Godfrey, gently withdrawing himself from 
the close embraces of his mother and Emnestine, upon whose cheeks he pressed 
a fervent and frrewell kiss; ** Mess tfiee, bless thee both!— There, theoe, take 
them, Hnbert ; flyreweU, and may all good angels watch orer and protect them«'* 

Edith and Ernnestlne, who seemed to be nnconsdoos of what was passing, 
saflbred themselves to be led into another room, and Godfrey then daspifig^ his 
foiehead, and covering his lace with his hands for a few nsoments, tamed to 
Hubert and Maod, with a look of manly fortitude, and said,— 
' ** My dearest friends, teewell ; remember me in your prayers, and btiieve 
me that I shall be able deariy to remove the dreadful suspidon which at present 
rests upon me." 

The old man and woman embraced him ; they tiied to speak, but the power 
of their grief choked their utterance. At length, releasing himself from thdr 
arms, he tnmed to the two men, and la accents of firmness and resignation, 
sald,- 

'M am ready to attend ye ; lead on." 

Before Hubert or bis wICs had power to speak, Godfrey de Lacy had left the 
Inn, and was on his way to the prison. 

Osmond, the robber-chie( and Banolph de Laqr» fbllowed at a short distance 
by Ulric and the robbers, who bad been ode^ea ti» Attend, porsoed their way with 
all the haste they could, and hitherto the bowyer was ao oonfated witli what be 
had heard, and at the singular interest which the robber seemed to take in the 
Ibte of his son, that he had not thought to Inquire eten what Osmond purposed 
doing ; but when they had got some distance from the Castle of St. Alwyo, lie 
suddenly stopped and Interrogated him on the subject. 

" There is no time for words upon the subject at present," replied Osmond ; 
** let it content thee that I am resolved at all haiards that Godfrey shall be free. 
If we hasten on we may overtake hioi before he reaches the prison, and then 
thou canst easily ptr&uade him Co return to the cattle> where he wouid have 



t'uE roi^ber's poukdi^inc. '85 



secore enongb now, bad he ifot so foolishly rejected Che good ofRces T In- 

tended Mm. 

** Bat suppose be sfcoold have reached the prison ?** 
~^"Why, then we must force an entraace, an<l drag blm from the place/* 
returned Osmond ; <* it is not so well guarded, and were it ever so, Osmond 
and bia bold comrades would not fear but that they would meet wtlh success.** 

'<Tbe thought Is madness^" said Ranulpb, " and I win not be a party to any 
iodi scheme. It will but increase the prejudice against my unfortunate son, 
' and can effect no ultimate good ; for, should we for the present rescue him, there 
^cannot be a doubt tmt that he would soon fhll intd their hands again, and then his 
Judges would be more ready to coudemn him, although innocent of the crimes 
wMi which he is charged. Besides, should he even be acquitted, would not his 
same be contaminated for ever when it should appear that he was the friend 
and associate of robbers ?** 

f^Thou talkest madly, Ranulph de Lacy,** said Osmond, <'and if thou wouldst 
be gaMed by me, all would be well ; I pledge my troth, that Godfrey shalf be 
xeslored to liberty, and that not the least discredit shall attach itself to his namCi 
Bie kmg thou mayest be inclined to trust the robber-chlef, the outlaw, and to 
oourtUiatfHendship which thou now seemest afraid to accept.*' 

Befbre Ranulph could make any answer to this, their attention was arrested 
Iby » UfoA Mrfse, which rent the air, and which appeared to be at a little dls- 
mee from (hem. It was a loud shouting from a number of voices, and between 
<he pauaes that ensued, they could distinguish such eacclamations as *< Hang 
Hia ViUaln !** '^Kin him *.** and many others, of an equally savage character. 

Hmj haitfly passed through ao opening In the wood, and immediately a dense 
maaa of people advancing In the direction they were pursuing, burst upon their 
right.— >lilissiles were flj^ng about In all directions, and they seemed to be idmed 
al some wretched iodlvldiial in the centre of theni, who, several soldiers were 
endeavouring to protect flrom their fury, but evidently with little success, fhe 
mob caow nearer; OsoMmd and Ranulph instinctively rushed fbrward to meet 
It, aikl forced their way Into the centre of It— but who shall describe the horror 
and agltatbn of the totter, when he found that the otject of their wrath was 
Us unfortunate son. Yes, It was Godfkvy, who was pale and bleeding, throng 
the wounds he had already received by the missiles that had been thrown at him. 

The eidiement created by the circumstance of so many murders, and all sup* 
posed to have been perpetrated by one man, had Increased to an almost Inde- 
scribable degree, and as Henric and Maurice proceeded with their charge from 
the " Flagon,^ a mibb of persons surrounded them, and assailed the wretched 
Oodf^ with every epithet of detestation they could ^make use of. In vain the 
oflcen remonstrated wffh them— In vain the unhappy youth himself appealed to 
tfiem ; they wiere deaf to everything, and would certainly have forced him from 
the custody of the oAcers, and put their threats Into ezccutioo, had It not been 
for the timely arrifal of some soldiers upon the spot, wbo flew to the aid of the 
twA men who were endwouring to convey Godfrey to prison. Every step they 
* proceeded the crowd Increased, and they seemed determined to force him from 
^ the custody of the soldiers, and to Inflict a summary punishment upon him. 

*'Down ! down! brutal Icnaresi** cried the enraged and distracted Ranulph, 



8S BBimBtTOfB 0B ^49^9 OBy 

when bedlietferedthatll was hiM won, toiirmiAni^vmmd in lMi4,ia 
tiiem, followed by Osmond. Tivo of the mob wete iiwtaiitly atrecdMd opon the 
eartfi, md so^ wai tlie aitoiilahaeBl and confosion ^nOr inddon and deiperate 
condnct ooeadonedt tkal Ibe men fdl back in eonHemadon at tbdr approach, 
and llMj bad neailj worfcad Ihcir wiqf up to tbe aide of tbe prisooer, tee the 
soldien or the crowd aeemed to recollect themaelves ; bat the moment afterwards 
Ranolpb was recognisedyand 8e?einl fofees culaimed— 

<Mt is de Lacy, the bowyer I— death to tbe whole flmdlj of tbe ararderer r 

Again the attack was renewed with redoubled toy, the soldiers and the a|ob 
pressing npon Ramdph and Osmond, and it appeared to be not at all improbaMa 
thai they would indeed pot their threats into emcuHoe, when the robber^ddef 
suddenly rdsed his horn to hb Ups, and blew a blast wUch made the wood re* 
echo a^, and immediately afterwards, Ulric, and the o^er robbers, who bad 
been dose npon the spot, came pooring in aoMng them, dealing destrnction on 
an ddes, and fiinng tiiose they attacked with amasement and terror. Tliey made 
bnl a feeble resistance, and the soUiers being unahle to stand against the des- 
perate attack of the robbers, gave way, and, as well as the mob, fled In all dlrec- 
tipns, and Godfrey was left In the power of bis fHcods. 

For a minute or two the confinion caused by tUs uacsipected erent, rendered 
Godfrey and Us fkther incapable of moHog or speaking, but, at length, when 
they found that the coast was dear, theynahad into each other's arms, and 
embraced one another with a fervour which the decnmstance will acosiint for. 

<<There is no toe to be lost,** «ld OsBMud, '« let us awH to St. Alwyn 
Castle; for, doubtksss, we shall, if we resMitt heve^ be aunromided ^ such 
numbers thai we shall find it impoasible to resist, and Godfrey wUl then once 
more fbU into tlidr power.** 

«< I seek not to escape,** said the lattep*-*' nay, it is my wish that I should sub- 
mit to the trial to which I must be sulj^cted ere lean paove my innocence.** 

«*Piibar cried Osmond, '' and thinkest thnm they will give thee a^impartial 
trial ?»No; they wonld condemn thee unheard, and hang ^lee like a dog» Even 
nowtheinfiuiated wretches, but for our time^ arrival to thyrcaeuc, would have 
bung thee to the branch of one of the loftiest trees hi the wood l-*Conu^ come 
let us away !** 

Ere dther Godfrey or Ranulph could make any rep^ to tiOs, they bdield a 
large party of soldiers, beaded by the ofloer who had been sent in search of 
Godfrey to '"Hie Flagon,** approadiing rapidly towards them. 

<* Curses on thy tardiness,** cried Osmond, ** we ase now placed in another 
dilemma through it. We must have a severe struggle for it, or we shall be 
overpowered; they far ontnnmber us. Stand to, comrades, and fight your 
hardest. Osmond, and his brave fellows, have had to fight against fsr mare 
fearful odds than these, and yet come off conquerors. On with ye ! we will make 
the attack, and try to throw them into confiitlon, or, at any rale, to keep them 
engaged, while Godfrey and bis father make the best of theirfway to the castle. 
Raoulph de LAcy, with thy son, hasten away, and tSIt not, we shall soon fol- 
low ye.** 

" It is useless,- urged Godfrey, « I canoot long escape them, and should I do 
as thou wisbcBt, I should Involve my father in the same itaoger ns myself. I will 



Tilft BOBBBB'S BOUHBIiIBS« 8} 

tmtnt^utj JdlHaiBgiiadlclMffgetiweBiottD m wi p lit, 1 Ui aot onmiiid- 
lilor«iill«'«rellminr thy gui jBtt Htom t ow ari s ■«» b»t . * * 

'•Nifytett**' IsMmpM Omk»<, *'ilM» liKmirtlteAobifiiMtely beator 
tUnc ovni tatrwOoo, I wmI laki man. dptflnnlMd ftflfi to pfcfcnt thee 
8«Toni4 IriB, eoandM^ aad ihieM hin and hto fiitbcr froAteif^ 
drapoTMooAl** 

la ao instant, the lobban ooaipktelye B aiaied Godfrey and Baanl^, so thai 
they eoaM not partMy cioapei aad then, wllli dotcminad look«| awaited the 
approach M the aaUlen. No looner had the latter fat within reach of theii 
artOfTi, than the robhera best their bofri, and lo eenain wai their aim, that 
Mteral «l the eehllen were ilains hot etui, nothfa^^ daaaled, aad resol?ed to 
teeare thdr priaooer^ at all haardt, they roihcd oa, and the robbers having 
throwa aside Ihdr bows and anowti the eonilet that ensied» iwonl-in-hand« 
was dreadAiL iioag did It coathiae, and for sooie tIaM fortaae seemed lo be 
oathesldeofOsflMMidaad hiseaapaaieM) bat, at length, tliesohliers contrived 
to divide then, aad, ten, Godfrey and Us lather were eoa^iklely left alone, 
and te robbers b^Mlng lo fia Bst, teir desperate spirits became daonted, 
aad they fled in all dfrectlons, leaving te former entMy lo the mercy of the 
soMiers, who, of coane, immediately secared them. 

«< Cowards! dastards! tndlors!* shoated te robber-ehief, completely suid 
vrith fUge, as he saw his fidloWB hastenlttg away. Bal his words were oseleeit 
for they were soon ool of heailag, and finding that II was to no parpose for him 
to attempt to go to the aid of Godfrey or Um folber, be made the bmi of his 
w^ towards Us ImprsgnaUe castle. 

In the BMantlme, Godfrey and Banolph were harried away by the soldiers to 
the jirisoo, where, after being hearily manacled, they were thrown into t e pa gat e 
dnageons* 



CHAPTER IX. 

** Oh, let me only breatite the air,— 

tlie blessed air thafs breadi'd by thee ; 
And whether on Its frings H bear 
HeaBttg or deiii, *da swMlio me r 

IhAUiARoOIUL 

Oimiiiothe time that tesc evtats weie being enacted, te aoiad of l4ord lUy- 
Bwad 81. Asweiph was basifr aceopiad in endeaieiMiag to devlN soaMaMins to 
dOfdopeteawfU n^falety wUchittiadsdte dsalho(Usfovailteestaite,the 
aafoftanaie Rsrtoald* aad in seektaur So And oat sqbm claa lo rttahifnh the Inno- 
eeneaof GodA«y, Bat lUs lie food lobe a task aMcaded vrith te utmost dlA- 
ceHyi for reeeaft ifoeaamtances leaded lo lavalvo the daeadlhl affilr In stUl 
■ymdt <sil%rify, and lo lacrsasa te piMe ewilameal against te supposed 
Wdba Hm useapo of Godfrey from te prison, attended as U was irith so many 



88 ^ SENNSBTINS OS LACY; OMp 

dreadful crliBCff> wai an efwt of tudi bomr, thai he endfatoored, but in fiin, to 
aolfeit, ortofiadanydMtoezonentetlieaccnMd. '* Had iIm latter botn eoa- 
fldoos of Us own Innocence," reflected Lord Raymond, ** wonld be have ahmnk 
ftom a pnbBe Investigation, or liave fled from a trial, in wliloli lie most hate 
felt confident of being able to dlsprofe the dmdfbl cbaige brought against 
him ?— No ;" common reason told him he wonld not ! Bat here there were 
not only damning proofe that he had fled iliie a dastard from, the said InTes- 
tigatloa, bat in effecting tlmt escape, the mnrder of three other faididd^als hid 
been added to that fearful crime of whkh he was before snspccted. And yet, the 
irreproadiable character which Godfrey had hitherto borne, and the high npinJOT 
which Lord Raymond had always eotertaiaed of him, rendered such a 808|ldfa 
repngnant to him. Still had tiie drcnttstance of the flight of the.yoaogoi|n 
r ender ed it almost impossible for him to do anything in the afliidr :»how mid 
be, in fiict, advance anything in proof of the Inoecence of one wbo^had, if itiwy 
not guilty, apparently talcen the ?ery steps to establish his guilt beyond a doubl ? 
—Besides, how oonhl he do jo, with any appearance of reason, when the an- 
fortnnatemaa, of whom he waa suspected toJ>e.the assassin, was his lavaiadte 
esqnfre ;— one on whom he had lavished the greatest favours, and wbon\ hf, li|d 
ever noticed with marlLcd dlsllactioa ? It woul& appear as though he waSjtoi* 
deavouriog to defeat the ends of Jas^ce j and the only power he could with reiflpn 
exercise, was to cause a Ihofough investigation into th9 dimsucaDoes, which ^ 
flight of Godfrey had thwarted ; and however guiltless he might be C^hlch be 
oooldnol help feeling assured he was), the conduct of the a ce nse d was fully cal- 
cukrted to prejudice tiie Judges against him. 

These thoughts conpletely distracted the mind of Lord St, Aswolph after 
Banulph de Lacy had quitted him. Deep as viras the interest he fdt In the 
bowyer's son, yet were hb feelings aroused to a tenfold dq;ree, when he reflectad 
upon the anguish It would cause to the beauteous Emnestlne, who, sfaiee he had 
last seen her at the inn, had never for a meiMnt been absent from his thoaghH. 
Her Image had haunted hUn during his waking and sleeping moaients, and he 
could not but adLuowIe^ to hhnadf that the feeling he frit towards her was 
that of unbounded love;— of love so powerful, th#all that he had heard of the 
senHaseot befbre, except for om, fieU fhr short of it. 

** Oh,'Bmne8tfne, lovely and amiable maiden," he solHoqulsed, '* how happy 
man that in^vidoal be,whoshaUbe blest with thine afltetlona ! Whatamto 
of Incalculable vrorth, humble as thou art, art thou In thyself 1 What an In- 
estiauUile treasure I— a treasure beyond all price ! What fortune, wbtt wealth 
ooekl add charms to thine Intrinsic worth? Metiiinics it would be Heaven to 
be assured of thy love. If the nest moment were to dose the eyes of the happy 
olject of thine afl^ectlon In death! Never but once hath mine eyes gased upon 
such peerless bcanty ; such a concentration of unspeakahle vrorth !— And that 

one Is now ^but, let ^ not think' upon the pahiAil subject let me endcavovr 

to erase it from m:^ memory altogether ! But, then, the. fcittafcs of this lovely 
girl ;— so like ber, that I could ahnost imagfaie wheh 1 gale upon her that aha 
stood once morebefiMre me, in all the lipenessaadsnrpasdngbean^ofyovttlt 
Methooght that another so fUr could not exist !-^at, heee I behold her 
lerpart.— Her counterpart, sa? I ?— By Heaven ! she is by for 



THE BOSBSB'S FOUNDLIMe. 



Omn even Hnt ufeHe being, npoo wham m; nteaarr Mill dwdli uMi Ncb 
unbounded MJoniion. Bal of what nie ti It mjr enwrtriidiig tU« pMilon br one 
who OD ncter be mine? No; iniplw of mj nnkand imhli, howean lem 
liope to wtu the betrt of one wboie rfrtoci nnd who« boullci render ber i 
imuon: bejvAd M price ? Bat, tben, M know the nberf, the Utter >D|ri«fa,' 
the ibime Iboi >he will btve to nndergo, U tfae dlipvee wbldi will be broafht 
afoa htr hmily, ihonld not the latwcenEe at tbe nnfortnnUe jroslh, Oodfrcj, be 
durl; prored ? Tbe dre*dFal Hftrlng ihe mnil now be enduring, toctuei mjr 
brain to madnen ! Br mj tnnl'a vraUhre, tben In no Mcrificc I would conildtr 
too great, to spare that gentle boaoiii one moment ■ tttphe (hnn grief I— But I 
waite time. 1 uiut lee ber, and endcavoar la impait tbal coniolattMi wd bope 
tn ber bowm, wblcb ttie melandwl; dinadon in wbl^ abe f* yUoed reqnlrei : 
Aen to adopt tome nxatti to dndditn tbe dreadfid mjttttf of Be^Mld^ 
■iMUilaiiloa ; to (Cek to nnrarel the cuK o( tbe flight of OotUnj i to diaeoTcr 
the real pctpelnton of tbe appalling Crimea Ud to tdi dmije | and to make 
tbe world acqaalnted with the endre Isnocence of the •eevKd," 

Lord Raymond waa abeat to leave tbe caatle, with the Intentfon of butenltig 
to tbe " PlagOD," when, at that mmaeat, a ndnlitiire fUl ftom hU boaom and 
he picked h np wttb mncb igltaUon otpreurd in U* deweMMOr | H Ma ere* 
became rirelted upon K, bea*r •tgba neaped hk boaom, and bla lift w«re corn* 
pmaed iritb emotloii. It wu the likeaeu at a ladj, v>*Ht >>"l exqntaltdr 
loRlj ) Bucb a one at It but leldom teen ; and who appear like aogela aeai 
frMn Hearen for a whDe, to eottanee mankind, n^, lo Aim bow weak In con-' 
pardon are the lumatei of thia aablaiiary world. 



M) BBNNB8TIVE DB ^ACT; OR, 

An Lord Rajmond contloiMd to gaze apon this mfniaure, Us interest appeared 
to ioereaae, and at length be exclaUned»— 

'* Wonderful !»As I gase apon the likeness, mj amasement and admiration 
increases. By Heaten ! every featnic, every lineament is the same !— The eyes 
beaming forth the same gentle esprerslon ;— the same roseate glow apon the 
cheeks;-* the same twin corals,— and ftdr and graoefol neek^ and beaotiftUly 
ronnded bosom : Can it be ?<— Or, b it the effect of encliaiita»ent ? I ootid 
feast my eyes for ever upon it. Emnestine, beasleons prot ot ype of her wbo 
first engaged my affections, thou hast gained that ascendancy over my hettt, 
which notbing on earth can ever destroy !" 

As he thus spoke. Lord Rayasond pressed the miniatare to kli lips in a pa- 
roxysm of transport, and then replacing it in Ms bosom, hastened ih>m tiMtptft- 
ment and quitted the castle. He had scarcely got beyond the moat, l>y whldi the 
Gothic bonding was snrronnded, when he beheld the tall figure of a grcry friar 
approaching towards htaM| and when he had got witbfai a few paces of Um, 
be stopped lausedlately in his path, and folding his arms across lib diest, waited 
to address liim. 

Lord Rayaumd, astonished at the singular behaviour of the BMmk, paased, and 
gazed at htm for a few moments with earnest attention. The monk, however, 
did not oier to alter Ills position ; and, as far as his lordship could Judge, for 
his cowl was drawn close around his liead, leaving scarcely more tfaaa his cjes 
visible, he seemed to be looking opoh him with the deepest Uiterest. At length, 
seeing that the monk did not seem likely to move, he advanced, and faavtageome 
close to him, greeted him with due reverence to his sacred character, and said ^-• 

^'The graoeof the bloBsed Tiigin be upon tiiee, holy father; why gaxest thou 
so earnestly at me ?** 

«< Because," replied the monk, in a harsh voice, and the deep tones of which 
startled Lord Raymond,—*' because it is some years since we have before met, 
and mine eyes would fiidn feast themselves upon the man I so mortally hate.** 

** Hatet'* repeated Lord Raymond, in a tone of astonishment— << this, from 
one of thy sacred form, £tther ;— whose actions should be those only of charity 
and love ?— But who art thon, and how have I incurred thine enmity ?** 

*• Wouldst know, latd Raymond St Aswolph ?*' 

" I would/' 

<' Take, then, my answer at my dagger's point,** exclaimed the supposed monk, 
taking one from beneath Us garb, "and with it the name of— -But no," be 
added, drawing suddenly back ; *< the time is not come yet— the scheme is not 
yel ripe for execution !— Live, proud JU>rd SU Aswolph, but lest auured that 
the time is not far distant when the deadly vengeanceof hhn thon hast so deeply 
li^ared, shall descend upon thine head T 

** Insolent hypocrite; tear off this hdy garb, whidithy words con^ace me thou 
hast no ri^t to wear, an d * * 

** Nay, nay,* i u tenn p t e d the apparent friar, " put up thy weapon, it would be 
of little avail opposed agaiast me* One word of mine could freeu thee into ic^ 
and noMrve thine am*" 

" Liar t** exclaimed Lord Raymondr whose feeUngs were unusually excited; 
*' I dare thee to the test— thou knowesi m^^t.** 



" Koow tiiee ao^" rdteated the other, toorDfoUy— '* fool !»Thke car !** 
Af tfie mfsteiioos tinuiser Umt ipoko, he leid hold of the ana of Lord Raf- 
nend^Mdwhifpereda&ir worda inhiaeaiv The latter torned deadly pale lu a 
aonMot; hie Umbe tremhled ?lolentiy-^ stagitred (am the hold of the monk* 
and became fixed and immoreable at a statate For a lew alniUci he coodQoed 
in this co n dition , and ieemed to hate loet the power of all htoficoltiee» bal when 
he did iomewhal recover hlmadf and loolMd round hla» the stranger was goDCk 

SoovefoeoM^was he by the words which the monlt had uttered lo hlm» that it 
was sometime befhre he could proceed on his way ^ bat n<^ £v had he gone, 
when he bdMld a female fitm running with frantic hute towards him> and im^ 
mediately his tiionghts were afiertedfrom whalhad so recently occurred to him, 
and his whole attrntion directed to the female who was now approaching him. 
Ae she came nearer, it strudt him that he iuiew heiv and In a momeiit afterwardsj 
his surmises were oooficmed. It was Rmnestinr » piJe, bieathlesa, and neatly 
exhausted, who» with the air of a maniac, had rushed unseen from the *' Flagon,** 
Immediately on being made aoqnainted with the sorrowful particulars of the 
combat which had taken place between the robbers and the mob, and the con- 
sequent imprisonment of Bann^ de Lacf, as well as his unfortaaate son, Qod« 
fr^. Unable longer calm^ to remain at home, she had determined, at all 
haaards* togsin an interview with her lover and her feither In the prison. When 
she beheld the astonished LordBaymond, Ae uttered a fslnt scream, and com- 
pletely ovevpowered by her emotkms, and the exertloa she had undergone, she 
became iniewiMe in lUs arms. 

How shall we describe the mingled Iselings of transport, anguish, and astonish- 
ment of LordBi^moadf as he held the Insensihle damsel to bis bosom, and gaaed 
with intense ardour upon her pale but lovely features ?— With what rapture did 
he gase upon that maiden, who the m9st eloquent huigu«ge must (ail to do 
adequate jMtiee to. 

** Light as the angel shapes that bless 
An infiuit*s dream, yet not the less 
Rich in all woman's loveBness;— 
With eyes so pure, that fram their raf 
Dark VIee would tara abashed aviay. 
Blinded, like serpents, when they iMO 
Upon the emerald's viri^ bteze ! 
Yet, fiU'd wiUi all youUi*s sweet desires^ 
Mingling the meek and vestal fires 
Of other worlds, with all the bllBs, 
The food, weak tenderness of this ! 
A smd, too, more tiian half divine. 

Where, through shades of earthly iB^agj 
Beliglon*s seften'd ^rles sUne, 

like light through summer foliage stealings 
Shedding a glow of such mild hue. 
So warm, and yet so shadowy, too, 
^ As makes the very darkness tiiere 

More beantifn than light elsewhere !*** 

* The Fire Worshippers 



92 I^IlNN'ISdTINE DE LACY; OR, 

How (H3 Ike long to breathe opon ber lipi te. khs— the fenreot kisfi fif love; 
bat, yet, a feHing of delicvy icstcated him, iiid« faieiog ber in bis anrn , be 
testcoed witb ber beck to the caede, end pladag ber under the care .of two 
Itaiale domeetice, went to nnlce bit notber, tbe amiable IMj Gekttine, ac- 
qoaitited with tbe drevniMtaoce. 

Lady Celet tine bed always fdt a moH lifely interest in tbe £ite of Emoeftioe ; 
her nneomoRMi beaoty bad eadled her admiration, and tbe sweetness of ber dia- 
position, and tbe sinpUdty, yet InteUlgence of ber deportment, bad charmed her, 
fYv^bently bad she watched ber when a child at ber Innocent gambols, when 
the has been going near Rannlph de Lacy^ residence, and ber heart yearned 
towards her with a sentiment fhrmoie powerfel than mere esteem. She envied 
ftanolph and his wife the lomety charge which bad been en trusted to thrm, 
and wonld, with pleasure, bare taken ber under ber protection. What a charm- 
log companion would she bate made for ber daughter. Marguerite, and what de- 
light would it bare aflbrded her to haro seen them become tbe partakers of r ach 
other's smdies, and strlfing to emulate each other's virtues. Many handsome 
presents had she sent ber, and she was a frequent ri&itor at St. Alwyn Ca8t(*>, 
srhich erer aflbrded the amiable lady tbe most infinite gratification, and uas 
looked forward to with impatience and delight by the little Marguerite. Sereml 
tfmes bad she endearoured to persuade Holwrt Clensbam (who it appeared ifid 
iBore authority orer ber than her foster-parents,) to permit her to take h**r 
altogether under her protection, but, althocgb mine host of '* Tlie Flngoo,*' 
expressed his gratitude to her ladyship for her t^iud wisheti, in the warmest 
Manner, of course, he dediaed the honour. 

Feeling so great an attachment as she did towards Emaestine, therefore. U in 
not to l>e wondered at that her ladysldp should be «%ry much hort at tbe nfielan- 
choly circumstances that had recently taken phice, to sffllct tbe bosom ot the 
poor girl, and those of her friends, and the was likewise rery much distressed oj: 
the awful and perlkms position in which the unfortunate young man, Godfrey, 
was ptaioed, who, notwithstanding, snspicton was so strong against him, »he firmly 
believed was Innocent of the fool crime laid to his charge. When her $<>n, 
therefore, so soon returned to the castle and Informed her of what had taken 
place, she felt a mingled feeUog of pain, and yet pleasure, (since the object &he 
had foTBMd sueh an attachment to, was thus accklentally placed under ber care.) 
and, attended by her daa^ter. Marguerite, she hastened to the chamber to which 
Brmiestlne had been taken. 

I^th what feelings of Indescribable rapture and anguish did Lord Raymond 
St. Aswolph hang over the senseless form of the beauteous Emnestlne, after he 
bad bone her Into the castle, while his motlier and sister aflfiectioLately sought 
to reston ber to seuslUlity. So powerful were his emotions, that Lady Celea- 
tf ne and Matgnerite observed them, and could not help feeling some surprise, 
althou^ they wece not at all astonished that the uncommon lovdiness of £m- 
aeitiae should make an Impression upon the most insensible heart, much more 
the warm and pasilooaie nature of Lord Raymond. 

It was evideatly iritb much reiuctiMice that be retired from the chamber, and 
he wonld not leave the castle until he was assured that Bmnestine had so for 



THE ROBBEBS' FOUNDLING. 9& 

rccuvettd Mti>>be «ble to relaie to Lady CtkgliM «m1 ber ilMgMeft» such of 
the afRtHing cih:otaslMieei m iBd OMde to Iwv koowMfe* 

tntti 8r. AtmnHph WM oot iMs gftewd thM w r pitoa d at Dm c^pents. WbM 
ctfnld tie tfa« mMttiog of tlie atteapl m ttmme wMdi bad beto mide in bcbalt 
of Godirey ?— Who oonld the moo bare Been wbo bad been engaged in the affair » 
and why should they take any iatereii In the Me of tbe fovng'niaii?— Under 
what iiifiitaatloo, too, could Rannlpb Mw twen attfng, thus tolnvelife bbnaelf In 
dang«*r, in so fraitlest a task at ewde n te tifn g to rri ea a e bla aen fkoai tbe bands 
of the officii^, a coane to which be bad fireideMiy MeaM to be ao araeb oih 
posed, and whfch conld have no other dKct than that of hieteaiing tbe ant- 
piclon which was attached to GoOfttf f Tbeae eto aoaw tancts paaaed ivpldty 
over ill tbe mind of Lord Raymond at 1M qtittted tbe castle, and tren d bi g bfo 
w^y towards thi< prison, beinft resetted to ieek an intandew witii Ranalpb 
de Lacv ind his son, and to endeavonr to ellett tfom tbea lai espianatlon of tlwt 
which at present was invohred in so mocfa atyatery i but it waa in vabi that be 
tried to conjecture the real canse of tbe frents that bad heen lebtted by Brnncs- 
tine. The misery, however, whieb the tetter wns snflMng, and thai wWcb lie 
feared she was still doomed to midergo, racked bla bnin and tormented lib 
mind more than anything else ; and he was apprebenahe that it wosdd btto sncb 
ao effect upon her eonstltntion, and caoie*8adh a shock to ber feellogs» that 
abe would never be able to recover from. 

** Beloved maJden,** soliloquist ijord ftaymood as be proceeded towarda tbe 
place in which Rannlph de Lacy and Iris son were ooaftned, "what wmdd I 
not give— what sacrifice conld I consider too great, ff It ebtiM save tbce fharn 
tbe angni^h which will rack tby gentle bosom ? By Heaven f I ooald be con- 
tent to endure the greatest misery that conhl fall to the lot of mortal. If, by ao 
Mng, I could do away with, or ameUorato the pangs that corrode thine heart ! 
Ob, Ernnestine, till 1 oeheld thee, i tbongbt that tio other wbaMm conld c^r 
ins|dre my bosom with love, than her wbo once rrlgned the em pwa n of my 
beart ! But how much more powerful is the affratloo-^tbe nneetttrolteble ela- 
tion— i most acknowledge I now feel lor thee, and wbleb nothing tan aen q n n 
while tbe blood of life flows within my veins ! But slas ! what hope is there 
tor me ?— Dare I hope to raise a reciprocal feeling m the boaem of tbe too-loiely 
Ernnestine ? I feel myself unworthy of snch a treasvre ; and boMlMn as her 
circumstances are, she is t>y isr too Inestimable a prite Ibr ne ever to bope to 
obtain. But I talk madly ! How know I that ber beart Is not ahendy poasessed 
by some more fortunate individual ? It Is not likely that one so Mr can be 
indifferent— can be Insensible to the tender passion !** 

For the first time the idea of Godfrey darted across bla bndn, and tbe un- 
cooifflou agitation which Ernnestine evinced, seemed by fbr too poweHbl tor any 
person to experience, wbo merely felt an ordinary aBection. TMs, conpled 
with what he had before heaid, that a jealousy had existed between Godfrey 
and the unfortunate Reginald, in consequence of the latter being accepted by 
Hubert Cleosham, as the snitor of Ernnestine, and wMcbwniotieof tbe most 
powerful causes of suspicion against Godfrey, as being guilty of tbe murder of 
tbe Esquire, raised a tumult of passions In bis breast that were quite new to bim 



9i JBJWiMMITiN^ LtR JLAOY; 09, 

The pKvaUiBg teoUng wlikk agiiated hk bQSO»» wu oae to ncarlf am^xw- 
imaUng to jealonny, that U was diflodi lo And toy other oane for U. He h«r* 
lied OD toward* the prieooi with hie Bind Jn Aetata of the gnaleet iiiieaeliiess« 
h«t Wy dettemiaed^ hf tone meaae or the other, to eUolt from Godfrey the 
trath. 

" Bat,** he ^laciUatedj as he pioceeded, " how eoold it be otherwise ?>-Is it 
at aU lihdy that a yoaaf mhi, eadowel iHth thooataial ^aaWiPitioiM, both 
pcnoaal and iatriarir, that Oodfoey M Leoy pstttesss, ooald 0til to Interest a 
lieart sosascep^ble as Eraaestiae^Syor that he shoeld be insensible to the power 
ofherohanns? Besides, have tliey net been bioeght ap together from Intecy ? 
--Bave they not been the oea st s nt oompanlens of one another, and so thoroeghly 
acqnalatert wUh each other\i 4ispositieBs, faafing soch an opportonity of being 
constantly toiSther» and gUdog otteranoe trithoat restrtf nt to their sentiments* 
would it not hate been a otatler of astonishment if they had not Imbibed the 
effervescent passion of love for one another ? It would I— it woald I and I must 
be afool not to hafodiioeveiedtheimth in a moment. Besides, did not the 
maiden' fre^ aduumledfs lo my preeenoe, and In that of her relatioas, that 
she loped Godfrey, and that Re^naM, convinced of the mutual affeeHon the? 
entsrtalaod §ot each other, had gcnenmsiy re^ed bis ctadm to the band o< 
SeBDCsthie, in frivoir of his rival, and had, moreover, promised to use his la* 
fluence with Hubert, to give his sanction to their uohw ? Yes, yes, and foQl» 
kUot, I must have bcett, not to have thought of this before i What hop^ 
then, is these for me? Can lever eipect to estrange her aflbctlons from that 
iivored youth on whom they are so firmly fixed i And should I not be acting 
the part of a villain to endeavour to do so ?— 'Yes, 1 should ; and H would 
have no other edbct than that of rendering two beings, whom f beUeve to be 
so worthy of each other, for ever miserable. Ahui ! there b no hope for me^ 
and I must sndesvour to stifle a pamioo which can never be gratified, although 
my heart bnah in the attempt." 

With these dlstceetlefg thoughts Lord Raymond hurried on towards the prison^ 
and liis soon ushceed iaco the dungeou in whkh llanulph de Lacy was confined* 
He found the bowyer esore composed than he could have imagined he wouM 
have been, ami tohlsirtgettt inquiries as to .the cause of his rashly endeavouring 
to rescue hiS'iieUtfoom thtoualody of the ofioers, Ranulph replied,— 

" Thou art not rightly in fo rmed, my lord ;~I sought not to release Godfrey 
from thexustedyof the oOoers, but to save him from the fury of a Inrutal rabble 
who would have slain him.*' 

** But who were those who aided thee ?" inquired Lord Raymond. 

Bantd|fli h esit ate d for a ndnute or two, and then answered ;— 

" Pardon me^ my lord, but upon <hat point I cannot at present satisfy ttiee." 

'* No," Maculated his lordship, witii nrach surprise ; *' and why iiot» for* 
soo^?" 

^'Because It might be to the injury of those whom 1 firmly believe are oir 
friends,** rstamed the bs^wyer. 

'•I Uhenot this mystery,** said Lord Raymond, with evident marks of dls* 
satlsfactlen ; <^ if they are good men, and true, surely thou wouldst not hesitate 
to make me acquainted, who am one of thy best frieods, with their real names 



TUB ftOBBSft^s rcnnfDt.K«o. I 05 

MdctefiflCeifi nd iMr m¥it$n^ kmtAiUft Mdccp inliiitrwt in fkfMtn, 
and tfaofle of Ihy tott." 

**Uf maimtt maf appear straogey any tard/' retamed Raaalpb, -'*«rtddi, 
daaMesf, ft U| M time ndll, moat Hk%, vmaird aU tint wUch at praieiit 
BoeiDS so aiyitcrioas. More at frescnl I caaaool aay; bat of tUt I cao umnrt 
cheey tiMtof the veal anottvas in tfadr cowlvct, I .aai as igaoiaot as thyself, 
adtkoogb IdrmiybeHeva Ibatlheirfrteiidikipissiacefa. Bat pr'ythet, ny lofd, 
wtat of my wile,-«of Eraaattiiie^ Mast aae they not ^Kstiacted at ny dta- 
athm?** 

Lord Raymond iafoimed him of aU be koew, and Baoolph's aagnish was 
■MMt ezcasshre when bo licavd'll. 

« I tremble for thee, Ramdph," said Lord St. Asivolph, •* for thoa hast ptaoed 
thysdf io a moat awinvaid predl^ameat, and prcjodiced the case agaiaat thine 
onfortnnate son.** 

" Oh, i fear not for myself or €kidft«y/* replied Ranalph, '* for I feel confident 
that we sbaB come off lrlaaiphaot;-4t is only for the dreadfol soBniogs wliich 
my wifo and EmaestiBe will aadeiioiD the interim. Alas! 1 fear that it will 
break th^ hearu !'* 

** Badeavanr to oompose tfaysalf apon that point,** obserred Lord fiaymond, 
«' thete shaU be Bothiag waatlog on my part, 'and thai ofmyboaoared motber, 
to appease thdr aoguisb, aad '*-—'' 

** 1 know thy goodnem, my lofd," Memptad Ramilph, ** and neversball Ibe 
•hie to repay the debt of gtatllode Wfaidi I «wc tbee. Bat Emnestlae, who 
lofes my poor boy so fondly, who — — >^' 

'* Lores him !*' reiterated his lordship, coloarlng, *' as a brother, doubtless, she 
does. 

<< Aa a brother,** retaraed Rannlphi <*ob, how weak is tbal same fo# the 
passion whidi Emnestine feels for my son, and which he so ardently 'NMUm. 
They adore each other, and althoogh I bate deemed it pradeal to endeavour to 
eniBcate It from their hearts, noHilag, I am certain, will eter be ahtotoooa- 
fuertt** 

Lord Raymond made no reply, hot he sighed deeply. HflR, if any had before 
beea wanting, was* canftraudloii af hia aarmlaeB, wUch bocoald ao loafiB dMibt. 
Promising again to vk all his best eadaavaars ia the caaaa of Banaipli and 
]ys son, be soon afterwardli qidtted the daageoa, and basseoed to that in 
which, Godfrey was ooafined. NotUag materially diffBreoe to tbat.wUoh bad 
traasiiibed la Ihelnterriew between Lard Raymond andRaaalpb deLa^ took 
place opOB thiaoocasioa,aodfrey. Ilka his Istber^BMal finaly retasing tosatisQr 
him apon the snbject of the robbers ; wlio had been the cause of aiding hba in 
tiia escape be bad made from the prison* and the subsequent e^nts that had 
taken place; and at length Lord Bi^moiid, not at att satisfied witb the myitcry 
wMoh they both maintained, left the prison. 

He bad aot got many paties oo Us way home, wbea bi» am was snddaaly 
frasped by a powerftd band, and taming round, be beheld Hal of tha Oka. 

liord Raymond, albeit he was unused to four, could not help gazing «poi» the 
awfol and aysterious-looking being, by whom his progress was thus Jirested, 
with feeliaga of astsaisluBent and oaastematioD i and, no wondar» tfsriial of 



96 BRNNBSTIMB 9X LACT| OB^ 

the Glfln was a frightfel ok^M* and, lo tiMte dafi of taperHltioo, wsa well cal- 
ctiuated 10 Inspire the beholder with MBtiiBento of diagMt aodboi^ He held 
the ariD of hit lordihi^ with an Iron gripe ; and Ua wildly iaihing eyes were 
ised open bis oouoteoance with an InlBiilty which seemed as If It ibjild pene- 
trate to the inmost recesses of his heart, and read his efery thought. Lord Ray- 
Dond, although he had often heard talk of the OMgldan, had ne?er before oeeo 
him, and his sodden appearance bewildered and damh-foiinded him tor a few 
minutes. Ail this time, the magklsBi rMdned the hold of his arm, and never f6r 
au instant removed bis eyes trom him ; at the same time, a sardonic grin over* 
fipread bis hideons features, which was appalling to look apon. 

*< AU bail to thee, Lord Raymond St. Aswolph!" at length Hal of the Glen 
broke sikace. ** Wonldst know thy futare deiUny?" 

** Aroynt thee, hideous being!'* cried Liord Raymond « " who art thoo, that 
Utos acoosteth me?" 

** One, whose name few can hear without dread," was the reply i— ><' one who 
kaowest^tby most secret thoughts, and can tell thee all thou wisheat to know.'* 

'< lioavego thine hold, and let. me pass ;— thou art some vile impostor !" 

** Impostor !" reiterated the magician, and his fiendish langh seemed to shake 
the forest. •< Wouldst hare proof that Oioo liest ^-l wonld tell thee whether the 
love ihott entertaloest for the feir Emnestioe de Lacy wiU ever be retamed I" 

** Ah i" exclaimed the wonder-stricken St. Aswolph ; ** how knowest tho« 
tbttt which 1 have never yet whispered to^mprtal bdng?** 

"Did I not t^ thee I could rend thy thoughts ?" returned the magldan. 
'* Tbinkest thou now that I am an impostor ?" 

* * Mysterious being, who art thon ?" 

" Hal of the Glen V 

lK>rd Raymond started at the mentkw of that name, and looked aghist at the 

mariflisai 

".Thou bast hcaid of me ?" said HaL 

<*Ayc^ oft have I heard of thee, and thy damned socoeitai,*' replied Lord Mtf' 
mond. ** Avaunt, fiend; I will not Ibten to thee :— the souls of those who u% 
tempted by thee, are In jeopardy 1" 

Again, the loud and snpemntnral hwgh of Hal shook the air, and his eyei 
«eem^ to flash with more than mortal lustre. 

*< And, art thou, then, the boU and stalwart Lord Rayasond St. Aswolph ?^ 
denmnded the soraerer^— *< he, who fefai wouki make the world believo that 
he feareth neither man nor devil f-^Thou art alndd to hear what I can Idl 
thee, and that which woohl be tiie means of saving thee ftom sorrow and 
crime?" 

"Crime I" refuted St. Aswolph, his bosom heaving with indlgnailon : << crime 
associated with the unsullied name of St. Aimolph ! By*— >" 

"Hold!" IntemiptedHalofthe Glen; «<thon mayesl e'en spare thkieoathat 
*ey are usekm moekeiy to me. I tdl thee, that I alone can point out thy 
feture destiny, and save thee fh>m misery, shame, and guHt t-^ut thon rcjedesl 
myoflbs^ 

"Idol- 

'^Otwdnale feol! go, then, thine own oourse, and reanln ignoiaat of Ite 



THR tfOBBBB't FOfN'OLINR. 



, yamdog gnlph apoo whoie brink Uioa mw lUudnt, nniil ii is too ]»ie to tan 
thee. Begone ! Knd live but to endare ■II—" 

"Hold! bold !" inteiTDptMl Lord RaymoDd, terrified by Ibe words of lie mi' 
gidao i " I do repcDl me of wbtt I Mid, and woald fain avail me of tbf baasied 
■kUllodMBAIiay.'' 

" TbCD, bllow me." 

"WWtber?" • 

*• Tboa'M »ee." 

" How kMW I that thou majeat not mean me barm i" 

" 11 thou doaUcit, go tby waj>" 

" liMd on, I wlU tmt thee." 

The ua^iu imqbed cnltiBgly, iurned rouad, and proceeded lata ihe 
dccpe*t reccMei of tbe wood irlib fteat npldlij, and Lord Raynoad, wnppinf 
hb nantie voaad, followed blm. 

Tbef were aol long Id reM^lag the Glen, Id nblcfa the lorcerer held feii miilte 
Mfica ) bat Lonl Haytnond, gerenl ^dm oa the way, repented biTing ooispUed 
with the wisbn of Hal ; and two or three timet be wo halt iadlaed to turn 
bMk. Uowarer, whcDerar theac Ihouihti ooctticd to htm, tbe nuficiaa toraad 
mond, and looked Beicely opon bim, ai tbingh he ooDld lell what wai pauki| hi 
fell mind: and an latcntlable power taened to nrft him on, wbldt be caald not 



98 XRNNBSTINB 9S I«A€Y ; OB, 

hit Tdns with horror at all thai met his gaxe, while the magidan proceeded to 
form the anglB^iralCt Md ae fo ihiumli tiwftor buM fvalMHUiM to thoie 
wfaldli^w Ifg ^tc ii im dl; dettrtbti. Thhikkig itawi M«r «ooine to retreat. 
Sl.4lffiiolph«roMid«NhkeaefKy« wA fuiVftred to Me 4k k«^ ^ «Ui wfnl 

The B Mnte ia w went tbroogh ilie whole of lua uah a r« Mi t — nfm a jta «Bd laoaii- 
wHmm; ani» ailar tke tapw of a few iMkiMea, duitef wiaoh IWMrfttl « tmiber 
i«r frighslBl atti ihaiawf fomi daaced wwond Lord Baynwd, vaiihe impret- 
«fTe aad t up e iua laral veioe of 4m aaglilM wm heard to gpeaih i f ulto w t ;— 

*< Lord AaywoMU^KW hast Uther«oaie, ' 

To leara ftooi mm thf fatwc doom : 
Darait Ihoa hniiwthe omglc apell, 
Avd hear the fiMtt that I «Ni teU ?" 



*' Picaetd J" ffraed ^ lUwo^ 4 «*I witt lislea to thee, aad fear adl to 
kara aUlhat hy tkf mytfiic arti Una «a|Ml be«hte to laipan to im.** 

The sa^e&aa wwiod hte wMd* asd iMMtd oave Mdaad^iiMe words, aiter 
which) he ftsed Ma cfea hMMif #a ih^ wii^ wrtavia hclbn hua. aad vaanhied 
wiaioffd aad ailertl for mn w M, ilawaa^ At toafHi, Im oaat woM tanwd to 8t. 
Aawolph. aad ie the laiue tinaa« ^}aoillliad.«- 

** Many sorrows hast thoa kaowo) 

Aad 4raa shall ttoet wi«h Haoy more :•» 
Bre twiea two years hare flown , 
ThoiUhtitaaise tofriere full sore. 

" Beware ! for thoa may'st shoo thy fate ; 
Beware the dread avenger's hate : 
Beware of one who seeks thy bloody 
Whose lair is in the tangled wood ! 
Beware of one who thoa shalt meet 
Moauted apoo a eharger fleet. 
Id sable mail accoatred— 
Oh, well may'st thoa his Tengeance drtad t 
When thoo dost the f aunt let throi^ 
His power thon shalt qak^kly know. 
Of the robbers haunt be waif ! 
Fdr one who hates thee lurket^ there." 

As the magician gare utterance to the last lines, wa?ia§' his wand all the whOe, 
there suddenly appeared in the magic mirror, at the baCiT of tb« cavern, the 
figure of a grey friar, exactly like the mysterious monk whom Lord Raymond had 
eneoantered in the wood. Bnt an instant, and the monkish garh Ml ottf and he 
beheld the tali figure of a man encased completely in Uack armonr, with his 
Tizor down, and from his casqae waved a plume of feathers of the saoM 
sablt hue. 

" Sorcerer," exclaimed Lord Uaymond, guiug with astonishment at the phaii'- 
tom, *Mf thou wouid'st warn me against my seeret foe, reveal to me his fiea- 
tnres." 

" it is forbidden," replied the magician ; « seek not to know nsort than ay 
power can disclose to thee l" 



THB ROBBBR^er FOUNDLING, 99 

AgaiB tht inagifi«B waved bit waid, and the phantotai vanished. 

" B«, wluit 9t eodtnj de Lacy ?•• 

•* He Shan be mvH !" anawered Hal of the Glen. 

" looigh," ejaculated Lord Rayaiood ; " 1 am satisfied !" 

«• And the fair Emnestioe," continaed the nia«iclan, 

** Ah ! what of her?** eagerly demanded St. Aswolph. "Godfrey loTes her!" 

" He does ;— and, so dost thoa !" 

** Bat> does she return hto passion ?" 

" She does." 

** Theoy there Is no hope for me ?'* 

** She will lore thee, also." 

*« Ah !" cried Raymond, in a tone of rapture ;— " West assurance ; sorcerer, 
lor that, I thank thee." 

<* Beware, Lord Raymond St. Aswolph," sidd the magician, in deep and solemn 
accents:— 

** If thoa takest her to thy nuptial bed, 
(Though her thou art decreed to wed,) 
A curse upon thine head shall light. 
That shall pursue thee day aud night.— 
Behold !" 

Solemn music was now heard, which gnCdually died away; and, quick, at 
the summons of the magician, Raymond beheld in (he mirror the interior of 
a chapel, and, kneeling at the altar, he saw two forms, the esmct resemblance 
of himself and Ernnestine. The priest was just about to join their hands, 
when, suddenly, loud peals of thunder shook the cuTem, the priest Tanished, 
and the figure of a female, of lorely countenance, in long robes of white, rushed 
in between tiiem, and a sepulchral Toice was heard to exclaim,— 

" Forbear !" 

As Lord Raymond gazed upon the countenance of this phantom, his blood ran 
ky cold through his veins: cold drops of perspiration ** stood upon his quivering 
temples," and, with extended arms, rushing towards the magic mirror, he cried 
in delirious accents,-^ 

** Image of my sainted Marian, why appearest thou to me ?*0h, speak to me, 
and let me once more hear those heavenly tones that liave so often charmed my 
ravished senses !'* 

Tcrriic shrieks rent the air as I^ord Raymond thus spoke ;— the vision dis- 
appeared, the cavern became involved in Impenetrable darkness, and the following 
words, in the voice of the sorcerer, aset his ears :— 

** Thou hast l>roken the charm ;— away, I cannot reveal to thee more !" 

Lord Raymond paused a few moments, stupiied and bewildered by all he had 
•ten and heard ; but, at length indlng that he was alone in the magician's cavern, 
and an irresistible terror creepiof^ through his veins, he groped hfs way out, and, 
after great diflculty, found himself oace more in the open air. 

He paused So tidce breatii^ and, leaning asiainst a tree, he became completely 
ahaorbcd in the recollection of the strange events that had occurred to him 
vrliMn the last two hours, the awfil things he had seen, and the shigular and 
awfM predictions of the magician. The warning he had given him of the sable 

448 12K 



100 ERNNB8TINB DB LACY} OB^ 

koigbt, bitlprosnosUcatloDt as regarded EninestiDei and the caiie that ht had 
fomold should descend upon his head should be bed wiih the beauteous damsel, 
allhougb^be bad said that be sbooM wed her, all rushed upon bis memory In 
rapid snocestion, and in^lfed him in a tra:n of ideas that only sorted to perplex 
him moiv. But» what bad made a deeper impression upon him than any other 
circumstance, was the last vision which Hal of the Glen had conjured up lo 
bis view s and, as be tbought upon It, aud remembered the words that the phan- 
tom had uttered, a sensation of horror shot through his frame, which he sought 
in v^n to resist. 

pAt length, ar«Hi»ing himself, be was about to proceed on his way, when, 
raising bis eyes, be belitid sunding before him, with bis arms folded across 
his chest, andtfiis cowl down, the gaunt figurt* of the grey friara who had befsre 
crossed his path, aud the exact form which Hal of tlie Qltn had cihiUti^ to 
him in the vislqn, and which had afterwards been metaaiorphosed iato the Uaok 

knight ! 

Raymond placed his hand on his sword in an Insunt, as he remembered the 
mysterious words that the grey friar had formerly uttered to him, and tbn warn- 
ing which helhad received from the magicUn ; and the supposed monk, obseniog 
his action, uttered a hoarse laugh of scorn, which resounded through the wood* 
and filled Lord Raymond with confusion and dread. 

" Fool !'* exclaimed the supposed monk, <* put up thy sword ; It would avail 
but little against me. Even now, I could trample thee in tl)e earth, and gloat 
upon tby blood ; but I shall spare thee for a while ;— tjie hour of my veq^eaoce 
is not yet come ! Tremble ! Lord Raymond St. Aswolpl} : 1 have sworn to be thy 
bane— thy curse !— to devise such tortures for thee that thou canst not shun ; and 
to bring upon thee misery and shame, by such secret insidious, and unavoidable 
means, that the bk>w shall fall upon thee when thou art least prepared for it{— 
that the storm shall burst on thee so suddenly, that thou must sink beneath its 
violences—Tremble !*• 

** Vain, boasting miscreant, I will not be bearded and threatened thus by thee, 
without resenting it ! Off with thy cowardly disguise, fell rufian, and, if thou 
art a man, boldly meet in fair and equal contest. He thou hast sworn to wreak thy 
vengeance upon. Nay, dastard, knave, thou mockcst me ;— thus, then, do I fofce 
tbeeto— " 

As Lord Raymond was thus fpeaking, he rushed with great fury upon the grey 
friar, who stood calm and unmoved, until he had got him within his reach* 
when be grasped him by the throMt, with the same ease as he would do an 
infant, and hurling him from him to the earth, with Uercalean might, he uttered 
In a lond folce,— > 

'* Idiot ! think not that thou canst cope with me I— This moment thy life ia fai 
my bands ; but I will Irtid it thee for the present. Remember the Qr^ Friar S. 
Remember the BUck Kuight 1 Think of Marian, and tremble !" 

He said no more* but leaving Lord Raymond prostrate on the earth, he hurried 
Into the deepest reeestf « of the wood, and was almostjmmedialely lost to view. 

Bursting with rage, aud filled with asteoishmeut, not unmingled with diead, 
Raymond. In a few moments, gathered hlaMek up, and reflecting with auguiab 
«pon all that had occurred to him, be slowly bent bis way to St. Aewolph Castle* 



TH6 BOBBEB'0 foundling. 101 



CHAPTER X. 

*' Ob, love I moct sacred pattlon. 
What bonndiy what liinlti are there 
To thy power ? The hamao heart 
Is thy territory and thy sUve. 
Id youth or a^ alike dost thou 
Hold tldne empire !** Clbopatra. 

OmiucTiNO and perplexing were the thoughts that occupied the ixMom of Lord 
f tiy o ttd slier tfw awfd and myiterlons events we have been describing. Every 
word the magician had given nttcnnee to bnd gone to his heart, stamped as it was 
irith every appenranceof truth ;— nil tlmt lie had seen bad made a forcible and 
indelible Impression upon his mind. Tlie appalling vision which had been con- 
Jved up liefore Ms wandering eyes,— >the phantom of Mariaay— the prognosti- 
cniotts uttered by Hal of the Olen^— the words he had spol^en as regarded Em- 
ncsHae, and tiie warning he liad given him against encouraging tliat love which 
her charms had engendered In liis breast, all conspired to bewilder and torment 
Um. Then, again, the strange predictions that had been uttered about the black 
kid^t, and hb singular meeting vrith the mysterious bdng immediately after his 
qritHttg the glen, filled him with strange doubt and apprehension. ** Who could 
this man be?** he reflected; *< and, why should he fiear him ? How could be 
have Incurred id» enmity ?" He endeavoured to recal to his memory from 
■m ae g s t the number of his former acquaintances any one to whom he had given 
snflteient cause to eidte his hatred and revenge. There was one,— bat he had 
every reason to belitve that he vras long since dead ; and, therefore, who could 
the present man be ? 

** Ah !" he suddenly exclaimed, as the thought rushed upon his brain, " did 
he not mention the name of Marian ?— and, who else bat he could it be ? But, 
no ; I could not have been wrongly Informed from the source whence I obtained 
the infcrrma^n, and I have nothing, tbere^re , to fear from him.— Who, then, 
can it be ?'* 

He was unable to come to any satUfkctory conclusion, and proceeded on to- 
wards St. Aswolph Castle, still revolving in his Bdnd all the mysterious and be- 
wildering drcamstances that had taken place. 

*• Would that I had not yielded to the persuasions of the sorcerer," he solilo- 
quised ; '^ what many painful and tormenting thou|^ts would It have saved me ! 
But, fimaesHne, why should my love for her be forbidden ?— And why. If I unite 
my fote with her^s, should It entail misery upon me ?— Misery with Emnestlne ! 
By the mass, the prognostication is as false as belt! What a heaven of bHss 
must she bestow upon that happy bdng who is destined by fkte to possess 
her hand and heart I But* the magldan said that she would be mine,— that I 
should wed her ! Oh, entrandng thought ! Were I certain that this would be 
rsallsedf what fcBcHy would be mine! But, no; he said—he, the sorcercer— 
thm I should be miserable and aocuned for ever, should that even take place! lam 



102 SaNNBSTlNB ]» I«4CY$ OAy 

districted with doubt, hope, iwcertaiotT, and dread;! The shade of my Marian, 
too !— that fortade the nuptials I— aod shail I fly In the face of Heaveti?— No, 
no» £rDiiestine, too lorely glrl> thon nusi ii6?fr be mint !«-But, can I e?er for- 
get her ? Can I ever become indifferent to her ?— No, no ; though distance 
may difide us ; though other forms, geatle and beauteous as thinei may meet my 
sight, thine image is so firmly stamped upon my heart, that it can only be erased 
with death. But, yet, bow straago and unaocountable is the passion I feel to- 
wards her ! It Is something mare than k>v«^t is a seatiment more powerful 
than adoration ! It is a feeliog wliich to mu ia iascmtable ! la her presence 
I feel a Idnd of saered awe ; and, methinks I eo uli bu t, where are my thoughts 
wandering ? Oh, how I wrong the uafortvaate Godfrey (whom I am at this time 
profisssing to befrtead) by entertaiaiag such idew! Ha?e I not beea asstrad tiat 
he loves the maiden, and that slie retanw his passlou ; and why, dieu, abouAd I 
•ccl[ to torture two fond hearts that iwre already been Mk deeply laecrated by the 
aalsfortuaes that hare attended them ? Rayarand, arouse thyself, aatt struggle 
against this weakness. Yes, whaterer may be the ca ns eq u eace s , whatei^er an- 
guish I may endure, I will endearour to forget Erauestloe la any ather chaiaeter 
tlmn that of a dear friend— a bdoved sister." 

As Lord Raymond came to the conc l u si on of Ihit sdHloqay, he reached Che 
castle, where his hrst inquiries were after the be a ut eous object who occupied his 
thoughts. He learnt with muah grief thst, although by the Joint -effsrts of Lady 
Caleatlne and his sister Marguerite she was restored to sewMHiy, she was It 
such a state of agony, owing to tiw nsany dreadfol efunts thai had followed so 
rapidly one upon the other, that the most aertous apprdwuslomi might justly bo 
entertained. We need not seek to describe the pain this caused Lord Raymood, 
and his agitation was particidarly obeerred by his mother and Marguerite, who 
although they well knew the urbauliy and bussaaity of his mind, and the deep 
commlseratioii he always felt In the ml sfe rt ua fs of his fgHow- ci c a t ui e s , could 
not help remarking the uoufual emotion he cfinoed apon this ooearion, with 
some feelings of surprise. But they soon thought more lightly of the subject, 
and did not so much wonder thai Lord Raymond should feel a deep Interest in 
the sorrows of so young and lieauteous a maiden, more espedaUy as Bmnestine 
had made so powerful an Impression upon thefar own hearts. 

In spite of the melancholy circumstance that had brought It about, both Lady 
Celestlne and her daughter could no% h^ eaperiendug a feeHng of pleasure 
that Emnestlne had thus accidentally become aa Inmata of the castie, and fUlen 
under their protection ; and they entertalaed a ferreut hope that her friends might 
be persuaded to suffer her to remain with them. 

All the afl'ectionate attention that humanity could prompt, was paid to Emnes- 
tlne by these amiable beings ; and they exerted themsehres to their utmost en* 
dedfours to loothe her anguish ; but, alas ! what arguments could they maiM 
use of to alleidate the suflkrings -of the poor giri, under such haavHy afflicting 
eircumstaoces ? They sought to iaspire her with hope that th^e would be a 
fortunate Issue to the dreadful affair whidi now agonized their adnds ; but, alas ! 
this was a task too difficult to be easily accomplished ; and the more the poor 
maiden reflected upon It, the greater cause for despair did she see. ladeed, what 
cause for hope was there ? What evidence had the unfortunate Godfrey of hia 



vnm w^mBmwL^B vatwDf^nfo* Mt 



loAOoniceio oier aagr mmt itmm iib •wa f->«iid, p wj i ti ee d m tte iwUle wcrt 
igWit luBi« «nl wWdi «lMf , im %niA, ha« mA g<Md teaioii «• be» from Ihe 
jiinj inipiriiTu rimnMain t thirrliwl t mmrl 1^ is tlw|«Ht«|Mn fiiii» wM 
•oald be offer in czcute for Idi iMMing otfliiwd fkioai tbe gaot, tad the blood 
wkiohlMdbtio j)plkiB<«Nliiigttf Aiid«dM«oC the onettpl wbidi bit fMber 
bad auide lojctcae bin fnMB-lbt c i l o dy ot tbe oAMrt, more tbanerer stMip 
theappeMoaoe«f #allt«poB bin? Alai ! yet i fate oeemed to bsre conspired 
«§aiBtft ibflM, and •olbtog bat bortor w inr— u de d them. 

Tbe distractioo of Hobert Clentbui, Maod, and Edith, when they beard of tbe 
«kioal aitaados of R aaa l ph, at well at bit ton, ooold ooly be equalled by that 
wbieb ra^ad witbio tbe batom of firmiettiae; and, like ber— althoagb tbcy 
weie oevlaki tbat Laid Raymond fit. Atwdph woeld exert bimieif all that wat in 
bUfMvar ta aave tbem from tbe Ibta 4vMdi tbretaeaed tbeah— like b^ theybe- 
liaved tbat tba ckvaamtaatfad efideace wbkb woaU be addooed would be too 
readily btliaved ; aad thai there wat tery little cbaace of Oodfrey and bit ftitbar 
meairiagj toadamaad^ at tfaey already were, app ar e ntl y. In tbe miadi of tbtir 
jadim. Betidm, in tbooe dayt, Jottioe was bat rarely awarded In catet of thla 
detcriptioa, and etpeeially where tbe aocated liappened to be a plebelao. Bode 
aad b ai ba ro n i as vera tbe ttmeSy tbe sacriftet of tba life of a menial wat con- 
sidered of very Utile importance; law wat gaided by fengeaaee; and the 
most triiUog circomstaaoet were brought forward and tnflfered to weigh at 
eridenoet of tbe oriminality of tbe aeeased. What hope bad tbey then tbat Ood- 
frey woald be enabled to tabstantiate his Inoooeoee of the crimes alleged against 
bim ; or tbat bis father woald be able to escape ponlsbment for ba?iog attempt-' 
ed to effect bis escape ?— Nona, «one; aad which ever way they turned their 
thoagbCB, nothing bat misery presented itself to Ibdr imagination. 

Soon after Eraaettkm bad left tbe ' FM^aa^' ia tbat ttate bordering upon 
freosy, in which we base dcsortbed Imr to Imm been bmI by Lord Raymond, 
Hubert, bis wUe,swd Edith, aasMe to reamln at home, made their way also to 
the prison ; bat tbey were refused an iaterrlew with tbe prisoners ; aad tbey 
were treated so brutally by tba igaorant mob, tbat tbey were glad to seek refuge 
in the Castle of St. Aswolpb, where tbey bad asceruiaed Ernaestlne bad been 
laicen. Tbe Lady Celesfiae aad her daughter expressed tbe greatest sympathy In 
tbe distress of tiie unfortunate family, and eadeavoured all they potfiibly could to 
allerbue their anguish. As it was uncertain when Ernnestine would be suffi- 
ciently testored to conYalesceooe to be remored. It was proposed by Lady Celes* 
thiethey should reoMln at tbe castle unUl after tbe trhiL, which was to take plaoa 
in a week. To this, Hobert and tlie others readily assented, more particularly 
as it would eaid>le them to attend the couch of Eronestine, aad having partially 
saoceeded in cooqueriug ;be violence of their own grief, to ameliorate tbat of 
bar's. 

liord Raymond had been nnreniitiiog in his endeavours to procure evidence to 
etidbllsh the {dnoceoce ot podfrey, hut he had made little or no progress, and, 
notwithBtandlng the predictions 0/ Hal of the Glen, who had told him that Ood- 
frey would be saved, he began at last to eutertaia but yery llHle hopes of 8a<^h a 
result taking place. He had had several interviews with tbe prisoners, and 
found them both calm and firB,-->Godfrey, ic particular, shewing in his conduct 



104 SENNJfSTINB PB XiACT ; OB, 

•U tbccon6d«icelhUcoDSdongiDni>cence eoald loaplTc. The principal Upi&fr 
wklch tomenudlita niod, wn cuMd brtfie lu 
EnoMtlne mnit be eudoring U bti awM •Hn 
moit Ucerate the beait «t hU notlMr. 

Lord RarmiHid read hii iluwtbM, ind, u hi 
which filled h'u biMDii] umards EinDeillae)- in i 
tbe miifortuora of God/rey, he (band It Impouibli 
of jcalontjr, which. In ipiie of kit cadeBnun I 
Un. 

. At leiigih the Iniporuoi mornliig arriTtd,— tbc 
10 decide the fale ol Oodfrey de Lacj Mid hi 
cspcctalloB, Ernnnlliie bad lo far recoicred t 
not oDiyto be able to quit her chamber, but to 
Hall of Justice, and gire what evidence she « 

The trial excited the deepnt iuieieit, and as 
It was crowded to eicew In cvrrj paii. Lord Hi 
bjibe lide of tbe JuMiciary,. sod on ibe bench 
dUllncilon, among whom nas the master of Gai 
ever, make the Irtal the labject of our next cliapt 



CHAFl'ER XL 



" Look at mfr— narlc well my conotenasce,— 
Note welt each lentence that 1 alter ; 
ADnalyie my erery aeUoa, and ihon'lt own 
If I am gnilij of tbl* fbnl crime, 
Tlien la the child Jmit bom a mnrderer !" 

LoBD Ravhonb St. Aiwolfh had waited In the moat paiafal tuspcDK the 
arrival of the day of trial, tad he tremUed for the reaali, for on It, he waa 
confident, depended not only tbe life of the accnad, hot aUo of Enmeatlne. It 
wonid be luperSoom to say that the bad been attended apon, ai alto bad Edlili, 
m\th the oimoit loKclinde by Lady CeleaHae and ber daagbteri and, cmtuary 
to all espectatiani, when tbe morning arrired, Kfwnaatlne ertnced more fHrlitnde 
and reilgnaiion then ihe bad cm done before, and lalbcd with perfect calmneaa 
OD the probaUe laine of tbe agonltlng erent. Bat eren at tbat time he paaxd a 
fcw of tbe most dellghlfpl nomcnu fae had tier tx p u Ym Ltd In tbe aai4My of tbe 
beaoteons daouel, when ibe tbaoked him In her uwd awaet aad faadnadng ilrle» 
fbr bit klndneai to her and ber dear friend), and mora efpedally for the la- 
•ereit be bad taken In the taie of tbe unfortunate Godfrey, aad tbe emtimaa 
he bad made In bli behalf. For agn coald bo haie dwelt npun erety word that 
Ml from bet llpi j erer; teatenee the uttered waa traovport to hi* rariabed atnaca. 
He eanetUy, howerer, implored both her and Edith not (o pertltt In tbe deaiga 



THE BOBBBK'S POUNDLmO, 



the; had Itfrmed to li« pieseut xt tbe trUI ; biit all tlic ■tiniuvDli iliat kimielf 
aai his mather cuulil Diakc Die nf, were Daattilliif ; ihej nere demniintd, and 
Lord Raymond, meQtalljr utlerlni a praj^er lo lieavEn tu *a<(Bln Ibrn tbroofhodt 
*o paiarul an ercDl, quitted the caitle and btnt hla nay towards the Hall of 
Jutice. 

Od bis mr ihltber, he cowld nol help ootieing leteral Tory itruge ano sag- 
^dotti-lDoklnf men Itntlnf about, sotna io groaps, aod who seemed (o;be 
alroi^ly ■mied; bat Ina^Dlnf that Iherwera only going npon the sameeiraiKt 
aa Buny more, Daintlf , to tritaaia tbe procecdiDKi, lie did not laffer the circntn- 
■MDce (u occupy his mlad many aiiuBies, bat west on bis way. 

Ai we bate befot« stated, thf ball was densely crowded ; lax In those days of 
bartaatism, the trial of a plebelaa was ntber an nnasual mxnrrcnce ; It was 
•noagli for lltcai to be aecosed tif crime, and their Hrcutioa ImiaedlBtcJy fol-' 
lowed. 

Tbe despotic noble bad a license. In a manner vf tpeaklag, (o do with hia 
TMaals what he tboagbt proper, and apon the slightest offence or caprice mur- 
dered them with iapanllT. In Ibis Instance, boweier, ths luicrest eidtetl wis 
•o great, both tbe tanrdeied dud aad tbe accased being so well haawn. Hod Lord 
lUyiBOnd liad to exerted himself witb a firm brllef that he shoHld be able lo 
rtmore all thariow of impntalloii even, from Godfrey, that ibere were no mrans, 
bad there even hare been uy desire, to have prerented tbe trial from taklag 
place ; and, indeed, it had been ihc nnlverul theiae al Maver<aliaN eier since 
tbe mnrdet of (he ill-fated Reginald bad been ducorered 
No. U 



106 SWtNUTlKB V^ hMY; OHy 

Aod DOW tbe awfal moment approacbedi— {^rd Raymond looked arouad the 
Hally bot Im did not perceife either Eronestine or Ed!tb» and be began to hope 
that thej had abandooed their fon»er reMlmlon and would not attend. Tb^e 
V9i» a paoiet aod all was flleut aa death in the hall, when tbt Jiuticiary ordered 
Godfrey de Laey to be broofht forward. No looper had ha glfcp the ord|r, 
than a plerdtig tluiek raag thruegh the ball» aod EnmestlBe and Edldi, wHb 
pale cheeka and wUd demeanour, mshcd from Ae plaaa where Ihey had tHI 
this momeat been coucealed, and threw tbemtetr^ at the feet of the Jaatielar|, 
aad the other oOcers of the law, who sarronnded them. Their appearance 
caMed a great aenaadoo in the hall, and f^rd Rajrmoad deieeiided from hia leat, 
a»d Initantlj went to their asalitaooe ; but they heeded hhn not, aad aceaiid 
to be micoaidoaa of eferjr thing but tbe awfal errand apan whlab thef had eoiaa* 
** Oh, mr lord," iJacfUated EmnaaiDe, vhb elaaped haiida» aad her eyea ii«d 
with tbe moat vahemeat exproMloo af aoppUeatfoo upon the cottateaance of the 
Jaaticianr, ** let marcjr pradomlaala In thy bucaat lawarda an innocent aod hi>> 
jar«dyoatb« Ht ia goUHeea 1--By KaafW ! I« la gHlUlaM I'^i-Oh, thoa knowaH 
nal the oaMe lool of Oedtr^ da Lacy, or 9km woaldat be well conrlnoed iMt 
hia heart voaM raeoU Anaaa the bai* Idea Af tiM botyiMa erime of wkkk he H 
aaeaaed !-^h, spare blm ! I baaeech thee *** 

*' By all thy hopaa of SMrcy do not bereare a mother of her only son, upon at 
to«l» and ao dreadful a diarye aa that which is brought against hlm;^ crfa| 
EdUh, " If iboa dosl^ hia hlotd wf U eaayraily he apMi fthina hmi4, gffd fjbt 
cdcaa of Hearca wW pmi^ thaer*' 

"Womaa," said the iaid4afy,aiasMy, *>lh«ilaHiaaiwtMiy4 hat t eta par- 
don thee for the boldness of thy speech. I am here to administer jostice, aad 
hg the guidance of tbe Judge of Judges, I will do so." 

" Becalm,— be calm, I beseech ye both,? said Hubert Clensbam, who was in 
the hall, and bad placed blntself by their side* as soon w they made this appeal to 
tbe Josticiary, " and place a firm reliance upon the goodness aod clemency of the 
Almighty, before whom we must all one time appear. He will not Uil to protect 
the innocent, and bring the goilty to punishment" 

** Tbe business ot the court most not be delayed, "said the Jnstleiary, In reply 
to some few words that bad been addressed to Um by Lord Raymond, implor* 
log him to bear with the unfortoaate women ;— *' bring hither the accnsed, I 
say!" 

Lord Raymond drew his breath short, and was In scarcely a state of lets 
.agitation than Ernnestine and Edith. With looks of the most hitense anxiety and 
agony, he watclied the countenance of Ernnestine, as she fixed her eyes upon 
the door through which the prisoner must pass, and ere a moment had elapsed the 
clanking of heavy fetters was heard, and Godfrey was led In by the ofllcers. His 
step was firm, and althoagh bis cheeks were pale, yet did his eyes beam wtth an 
expression of consdons innocence,— A frantic scream from Ernnestine and Editb 
drew his attention towards them, and the next instant they sprang towards 
him, and threw themselres upon his neck. 

<* Mother !— Eronestine, sweet innocent, to meet thee thnS !" aied Godfrey, 
with a burst of agony;— *' Oh, God! sorely Thy decrees are too severe !— my 
heart will burst— I— I— bot, no; let me be firm;— It is only the guilty that 



run bosbib's FdmrBLture. 107 

8lio«M tremble or gt?e way to tveakoen ;*4eftr Hobert, lake them from me> 
lest ay brain should be bewildered 1" 

Poor old Hubert Clensbam, who etioced the mo4t remarkable self-possession 
and fortitnde on that awfnl occasion, did as Godfirey desired ; and directly after- 
wards they r^riated, and were borne oat of the hall Into an adjoining apartment: 

In the meantime the trSal commenced, and proceeded ; and befbre It bad con- 
doded, Emnestine was saffidently recovered to ghre her etidenoe, which she did 
la so clear^ so explidt, and so earnest a manner, fliat It made a great impression 
upon the judges ; and, stern and callous almost to feeling as they were, they 
coald not help being touched by the beauty and anguish of the hapless damsel. 
Who could doubt for a moment that aught but truth could fall frtka lips Hke 
tier's ?— But, yet all that could be adduced in confirmation of the innocence of 
Godfrey, failed to coorince his stem and inflexible Judges ; and after all the 
witnesses bad been csamiued, the Justiciary arose, and Addressing himself to the 
unfortunate youth, said,— 

*' Prisoner ; thou hast heard the evidence adduced against thee ; if thou hast 
anything to say to avert thy fate, speak it ; and Hearen aid thee as thou mayest 
deserve I** 

Godfrey turned his gaze for an instant upon Emnestine and his motiier, who 
seemed petrified to the spot with horror, and then in a firm and manly tone, 
he thus spoVe :— 

" My lord, thou callest on me in vain, if what has already been advanced in 
proof of my innocence has failed to convince thee. That I am not guilty, I 
solemnly again, in the face of Heaven, repeat ; Vbt, if thou art resolved that I 
shall fall a victim to this dreadful charge, I must e'en submit with the consolation 
of an unsullied conscience, UHd a firm reliance on that mercy from a Supreme 
Judge, which man denies me here. I would, if it would avail me Implore thy 
mercy for the sake of my poor mother. I would ask of thee my life, that the 
lives of my unhappy parents might be prolonged. I would ask thy mercy for 
the sake of yon trembling innocent, whose heart will be broken for ever, should 
I die a death of shame.— I would ask thee to spare my life for these :— for my 
innocence, I have nothing further to urge !— 1 may appear guilty ;— I may be 
thought a monster, which I should be were 1 guilty of the dreadful crimes witii 
which I have l>een charged ; and gazing multitudes may behold my death with 
exultation, and ring their curses in my ears ; but there is one truth,— one con- 
solation will uphold me through every horror,— it is, that I am innocent /*' 

The manner in which Godfrey spoke seemed to make a great impression upon 
the judges and every person in the hall ; but still there were so many condem- 
natory circumstances in the evidence which had been brought against him, they 
saw no reason why mercy should be shewn him. 

He had firmly disavowed having acted of his own free will in his escape from 
the prison, and of being the murderer of the gaolers, yet had he as firmly refuse<i 
to reveal the names of the person or persons who had assisted him, and perpe- 
trated the Climes, solemnly, however, declaring that his father (who it was in- 
tended to put upon his trial afterwards) was entirely Innocent of any participation 
In that deed; and that circumstance weighed more than all against him; the 
Justidary therefore pronounced him < guilty,' and was proceeding to pass upon 



106 BUNNKSTINE DE IjACY; OR, 

him the sexttence of defttb, when suddenifajoiid voice from a distant pan of 
tbe hail was beard to exclaim :— ; 

** Godfrey de Lacy u lAnoeent of Um crimes alleged agaiott him, and tiiese 
wju^ooodemii blm, will he gailty of his onmier !*' - 

Lord Raymond started at the weU^remeanberwl tones of the voice, and directing 
his gaze to that part of tbe hall from wlMace they Issaed, bis astonishment may 
be well imagined wben he beheld standing eonfronting tbe judges, the tall ftgore 
of the mystcriont grey fiiar, whom lie imd twioe enoomitcrrd^nder such rtngular 
drcumttances. 

Tlie attention of tbe court was iasmcdlaCely lireited on the speaker, and 
astoalsbmeu pervaded every bosom, wWe Lord iUyuioad,^at his eyes became 
fixed upon tht A^re of the mysterions monkf whose €Mse Wis s^l c«i\ered 
with his cowl, f«U an lovolnntary shudder of horror rash tbroogh his veins, 
for which he could not account, but fbnua it Impossible to resist. 80 gieat was 
tlie surprise and confosiun Ibe abmpt appa a ranee and addvess of tbe straoKei' had 
caused in tbe court, that It was several minutes befbrt any out eonid speak, 
until at length tbe chief Justiciary, arising, said,— 

*' Stranger, who art thon, end what hast tbmi to say respecdnf tbe gollt or 
ionoceuce o f tbe prboaer ? ' * 

" Wbq 1 am it boots aot," rrplied 4he bbooIe ; ** 1 repeat my assertion, that 
yon have convicted an inuoceni man $ Oodf^ de hacy is not the mordevrr of 
Reginald, or tUc two other persons ;— and this I am ready to prove.** 

^* How, sajest tboa so, stranger?" demanded the Justiciary; '* and fojodge 
by thine holy garb, thou wonld^t not spcalc an untrath. Tell me, who tlmn art, 
aud what knowest thon of this dnsadfnl atair V 

*' I ttU thee again, my lord Justiciary," xetonmd tliesnppo«ed fHar, ia a stem 
voice, ** that my name It matters thee not to know ; if I prove to thee the ia- 
ooceace of Godfrey, and produce the real nssnsslns» sorely that should be deemed 
sufficieiit." 

V Not »9, holy lather," observed tlie Jasticbtfy ;/« thou merest accuse othen of 
these bloody deeds for tlie purpose of rsscning thn prisoner ; and it is bnt fair 
that tboae th^ cliargett with the pt«pef»ii«»K of tbe tame, sboald behold aad 
know tfaeir aconser. If iustioe is thine ai«, and thnn art no false monk, thon 
wilt not hesiMoe to remove ihy conrJUidi mmplyisiih my rm^nest.*' 

** I do ok]»)ect me to do as thon^dspliestftimgr lord Justiciary," repUed the myi- 
terlooi monk ; ** but 1 will ni»t play l^ce false,." 

" My . lord Justiciary," tjacnlated Lord Rifmond* << tratt him not, 1 beseech 
sbce* bu^in^st upon knowing who he istf-Well asaorod am 1 that he la no 
monk, JUKI that**^" 

** Beware ! Xord Raymomk" lotarmr^ed the alraafSTt « If thon wonMst Ml 
prevent^ the innpcence of Godfrey de Lacy, w hos e mmsn thon preiendest to 
espouse being made manifest, thon »Ul boklthy peace {•^-Thon mid 1 bate mneb 
to settle with each other at sogM fmurie dny» hat not now, a n d-< M " 

*« Beaiest thon not, vf k>rd« he tbreoens mn?*' said Lord^S^ Aswolph.. ^ Am 
I to sit here and be befrded thus by amiq^Nilienl'biBggart as thU Is? I demand 
that be be ttized and compelled to refcnl who be.la!" 

<* Stand back I at t]iy peril touch me^Betr' jtfled^hf etranfer, boUiy, mid 



xaB robbbb's foukbling. 109 

wafi«ft. hk arm, a»^ the Jatlici«7i|ave iostraetioiis to the ofleen of Hm coon to 
tdze him, and they adfMoed fbr that purpote; "BMurkoMt I came for the for- 
ftcm»qi of jmioa lalw lifc of an^ l MOc et lan la ptriied upoa it, whUelfthoii 
foUoweitthe adrloeof chia beadstroBK aoUe, the nal' MUrderen will be snifbrad 
t^aacape pMlahflMBt. Bftha naaa mi* • AagerialaMapoo me with an intent 
to harm me, 1 wttl hnve terrible antialaoiian I" 

'< M i dareat thnaten,?** aald the JMtfdar?, ateraly. 

*' I.dare more than tima art pao b nh i i awam of, my lohl Joadoary/" replied the 
stranger Armly, «< bat 1 do beaech thee hear me with patience, and hold me harm* 
1^ while i praaeed lo do wimi JaaHeeptampta.** 

VJIaOd j loacfehim B0lt"«idcicd th» Joatldary addieariaf the #floen.— 
" Friaooer, knovMt ihon ihia man ?^ 

qodln!|loakad«anMrtlyat.iheaQppoacdmoak for a moment, and KBMOncd 
tildnt, ,.-'.,. > 

f < Wkyjtasi tbon noaaoiwet)'* JgaiiaiBi theJnttldary, peiYmptoiily. 

*<Thli ailenoe ia a atrong proof of fnBt," obaer?ed the Jaatidary; <<the 
prifongi^ and ^la man are oaonMnf] together to deodfe the conrt and baffle 
tbeendaofjoaticer 

'Ih ^'IhM^ Judgm* '^ fidaer oried the mytterkma atranger, <' gbe me 
fidr chMoa aodil will pioae thoitratli of what I hare anerted to thy aada- 
fhctlon*" 

•^/Howyv 

V 4t«ac mard the real i m mil na ahaU he prodaeed Mbi« thee !" « 

« Pnlfil, then, thy promiae," mid ttae-JnaHehvy, who aaemed strongly imprest- 
ed- Willi the BMmner of Jtheatraafer, nad waa aomewhat awed by the bohlness 
and rtatni mliiatioo ol his words* 

<«BalMld the lat of R«glnaM before^!** emdaimedthe aoeoser,and. 

In an Instant, the three robbeta whom Osmond had doomed to die by the law of 
the famd, for dm criow they had oommltt^, aaaw tremblingly forward, and 
aeenwd toahrink appalled as the atcm ghmee of thehr captain, whoao eyes, from 
be a aafh Us oowl, wwre teed aiemly|nponttbeai. A mmrmur of aslorishment ran 
diBaagh tfmoonrt at tbl» noespeotad -Ineldant, while the eyes of the Jnsddsry 
and theapeetalors wa a da re d ftra^to Oawoad nad then H the aocmed, who had 
resigned tbeaaselves Into thohanda offhe o ffl a er s, and seemed fnlly prepared to 
meet that fote fkxHn whicn they had no nMma of eacaptag. Rodolph alone ap- 
peared to hesltati^ and to be tinoevtalB haw lo aet{ bat when he eacoontcred the 
atetv glanee of Osmond, he taned nway tils bead, and stood trembUng by the 
dde of his eompaalons. It would be Impomlble to describe the feeUngs of 
asmnishmwi, hope, snspenaai and doiVi tkii pertaded the minds of Ctodfrey 
and the eahcrr so deeply l a tcr mled In ibis palnfbl and ledtow affldr, and they 
awtfiad the tesnH In • state of dm matt larlmtag' anilety. 

«<How! what meaaathlar itmaailad dm Idsddary, at length. 

<^11i^ we are righdy eharged, mf lofd Jaaddary," said Mpheii, far firm 
acwnts,for ttoed of 4 lite wIMidw pelgaant agony of a goUty coosd^noe had 
long' rendered Insupportable to Mm» hft irlewed the probaMhty of his fate with* 
the greaietleahaaew aad e^ea s a dt flictldn y*' wt are the morderefs of die on* 



110 SttNNXSTINE BE LACT ; OB, 

lbttQBt(6 man, of slaying whoniy Godfrey de JLacy i9 most wroagfally accvaed 
afldeofidemoed!" 

^e iurprise of aQ who heard this gratiiitons confeiiiooy waa iacreaaed tea- 
Hold, and they looked upon the robbers with breathless atteatioBf aad vpo* 
Oimond, who had folded his arms across his chest, and was standing, with form 
erect, by the side of the three trembling wretch^. 

<« Babbling idiot !" exclaimed Rodolpb, hoarsely. 

" Bat who Is he that hath accused thee ?" hastily demanded the Jfosticiary. . 

RMolph advanced a few paces, and loolciog at the Jastidary, was eTidently 
abont to spealc, bat Osmond, who noticed his action, and read his intention, 
nslied to him, and grasping his arm fiercely, exclaimed^ at the same time placing 
the point of a poniard to his breast :— 

••Villain ! Remember thine oath !" 

Rodolph shrank back, and cowered beneath the gaze of the robber chlf f, bat 
offered not to say another word. 

••This trifling with the patience of the coart/' said the Justiciary, <M cannot 
permit longer ; seize this stranger, who, If what he has stated be true, ii^ doabtp 
lets, equally guilty with those he accuses !" 

•* My lord, I cra?e thy pardon," said Lord Raymond, ** but I would sogyest 
that era thou proceedest to such an extremity, thou wilt hear any confession that 
these men may think proper to make. Remember, that the life of Godfrey de 
Lacy,— whom I firmly belie?e guiltless, although he has been condemned ibr this 
dreadful crime,— hangs upon that slender tenure." 

*' Be it so, my lord," said the chief Justiciary, after rtflecting for a vomits or 
two, then addi^sslng himself to the prisoners, he demanded whether they either 
Irfthem wished to say anything. Rodolph and Gilbert turned sullenly awaZf «nd 
made no reply, but Stephen Immediately entered into a minute detail of the 
dreadful drcumstanoe exactly as it took j)lace, and has been described, and 
produced the packet exactly as Lord Raymond bad entrusted it to the ill-fated 
man to convey to the Monastery of Saint Cuthbert, and the unfortunate Esquire's 
ring which they had uken from his finger. These, Lord Raimond was able to 
swear to in a moment, and the innocence of Godfrey de Lacy now began to be 
apparent. 

Emnestioe, Edith, and Hubert clasped their faaodsi and raised thdr eyes to* 
wards heaven, in speechless gratitude, while Godfrey awaited, with the utmost 
firmness and composure, the result. 

'• But, yet it would seem that Godfrey de Lacy is coUeagued with these men," 
said the Justiciary, after a pause ; << for, if he knew himself to be entirely In- 
nocent, why should l^e seek to escape ?" 

'* That was my action, and he knew not either me or the purpose for which 
I had come upon, when, in the disguise that I now wear, I gained access to 
his dungeon," said Osmond ; '* he acted on my persuasions alone." 

*< Ah V* observed the Justiciary, hastily, " thou acknowiedgest thyself to h^ve 
been the cause of his escape, and, doubtless, thou art the murderer of the twQ 
unfortunate men who were slain on that occasion ?" 

" That, too, do 1 confess," replied the robber-chief, boldly. ** I entire^y » 
onerate Godfrey de Lacy from any participation in those deeds ;— but I war^ ye 



THE robber's FOUKI>l«INa« 111 

to let me depart anscfttlied and uomQiested, or ¥e the confl^qtienoei op *hi m tffUi 
heads.-^! have performed an act of justice* and " 

<* Who art thoa, for the lait time* I demand ?" esdaiiofid the Jvatici^ry. 

** Osmond, the Avenger !" retomed Rodolpb* in a moment, «uid fixing a l«9k 
of exaltation upon the robber-chief. 

" IVaitor !" ejaculated Osmond, springing towards the robber* and* ff-^spkut 
£im by the throat* he plunjed ius poniard several times into j^s bodj* and Ihie 
ruffian fell a bleediiy^ corpse at bit feet ! 

So completely paralized were the whole of the spectators i|^ what had $q 
suddenly and unexpectedly taken place* that they had not th^ power to move ^ 
speak ; but at length the Justidary arose* and again ordered the officers to sei^ie 
upon Osmond. In a moment* however, his sword was unsheathed* and he st^od 
in the attitude of defence* at the same time placing his horii to bl^ lips* be blew 
three shrill blasts, which re-echoed through the spacioiis and lofty hall I— in- 
rtantly the robbers came pouring into the hall in every direction* and smroaod* 
log their captain* with their good ^ew- bows bent to their, shoalders* prepared at 
a word from Osmond to deal destruction aiound. , 

" Stand back all of ye," said Osmond, *' suffer me tp depart from l»en<;$ with- 
out interruption* and we will harm ye not* hut destruction to tho^ who ^ladly, 
sedc to molest us!" 

Universal astonishment prevailed in the court ; the Justiciaries and the spec- 
tators were astounded, and Osmond and his comrades* laughing triumphantly* 
slowly retreated from the place* leaving Gilbert and Stephen* together with the 
body of Rodolph behind them ; and they had got far away from tbe court (lefore 
those who had been witnesses of what had taken place h^d sufficiently recovered 
from the surprise and confusion into which it had thrown them to offer aiqr 
resistance. 



CHAFJER XU. 

'* Try me as thoii wilt* 
I am so strong in innocence* that I 
Laugh proudly to scorn each ordeal 
Thou mayest test me with.^ 



It 



' By tbe time the extiteroent the events we have just been describing bad caused 
in the court bad subsided* and the Justiciary and those who had heard the trial of 
the prisoner* had somewhat recovered from tbe state of aslonishment into 
which the singular and daring conduct of the robber-chief had thrown them* 
the court was cleared of spectators* and such was the desperate character of 
Osmoad and his gang* at tbe same time so fhr had he galued upon the esteem 
of the poor people, to whom, as we have before suted, he was a generota 
friend, assisting those in distretii out of the booty he made in his predatory 
exactions from the wealthy/tfaat no one thought for a moment of opposing theii* 



112 BANNS8TINK DS I«AGY ; OR9 

4tpMrtire, tod Umj had rtftlned tbdr strong bol<l» thcCistle of St. Alwyo, be* 
fore the tencation their apfearMiee had eidted at the Hall ef Jaitice bad disap- 
peared. At length, bowerer, the chief Jnttidary, hsfiDg areosed hinw elf, turned 
to the other noUemeD seated by his side, and said,— 

** This daring eircnmstance ninst be promptly attended to.— Too long has this 
desperate robber and his gang been snflinred to carry on their lawless schemes 
with impnnity, and to set erery power at defiance ; bnt I am resolred that some 
steps shall immediately be taken to pnt an end to his guilty career, and to 
eztermioate liim and his guilty assodatee. Let the two prisoners be con?eyed to 
safe cnstody, and, to-morrow, we will commence their trisl. I am not yet satisfied 
that Godfrey de Lacy is innocent, or that he is not an accomplice of these 
wretches, and—-" 

A lottd scream from Ernnestine interrupted the spefch of the Jastidary, and, 
mshlng forward, she threw herself on her knees at the feet of the nobleman, and 
in frantic noceau, ejtcnlated,— 

*' Oh, my lord, spare him !— in mercy, spare him !— do not again tear him 
from me ! Ah! I see thou art bent to take his life ! Thou art determined to 
murder him, althongh snch unqnesllonable proofs of his innocence hare been 
established. Godfrey, dear, mnch injured Godfrey, they shall not separate us :-« 
if tbey are resolred against all reason and justice to detaio thee a prisoner, I will 
share the same dung eon with thee, and——" 

' " Ernnestine, dearest maiden," interrupted Godfrey, with the utmost emotion, 
^* if thon wouldst not dri?e me to madness,— if thou wouldst not see me unman 

yseif, thon wilt endeafour to compose thy feelings, and to await with patience 
the issue of this painful affair. For myKlf, 1 fear not the result I am so 
.onftdent of mine own innootnoe, that I know ere many days I shall bo restored 
to thee, my lore, and without the siightest blemish or suspidon upon my cha* 
rftcter. Come, come,— sheer thee, cheer thee, sweetest, and trust me that all 
wiU be weU." 

During the time that Godfrey was speaking, the mindof Liord Raymond Sn 
Aswolph was racked with the most distrossing agony ;-4n the first inslanoey to 
toe the torture which the mind of Ernnestine was undergoing, was quire suflkient 
to occasion him the most poignant regret, and then the tender words that were 
eichanged between her and Godfrey, conrineed him of the intensity of ihe 
passion which subsisted between them', and shewed him, in a more glaring point 
of Tiew, the utter bopelessoess of the lore with which the l>eauteon8 damsd had 
Inspired him. He, notwithstanding, appealed to the humanity of the chief Jus* 
tidary and Godfrey and our heroine, with the mother of the former, were per* 
mitted to embrace each oil^r; after which the fadings of the poor girl baring 
oeerpowered her, she fdnted, and by the orders of Lord Raymond was given 
into the care of Hubert and Edith and taken to the Castle of St. Aswolph, while 
Godfrey was remoTcd to his dungeon, there to await the final decision wlUch his 
judges might come to after the trial of Stephen and GUberL 

limnestine remmned in a state bordering on freniy during the whole of that 
might, and the bosom of Lord Raymond underwent scarcdy less misery than that 
which the unfortunate damsel was enduring. Erery hour but sorred to add to 
the strength of that affecUon wiih which her innumerable chirms and intrinslr 



TBB EOBBVWS MOMBblMOi 



qwkUtict hid inapireH him ; ud when he i*e)|hcd crcrjr circnmilaDe* «f Ibe lore 
trhkh her and Godfrey Ml for t*A other, and tfie Injullrc of whi«k ha wu 
tailty to Ihu Dnrorlmnftte jvatb br iBdulRing in iin iircdloD which he^felt luDnd 
CMkl ncTCr be retartiad by the obfect who had glreii rli« to it, hi b«gu M plwe 
bat Krj Utile reliatiM apos Ibo profiMUtMioni to which Htil o( tbi OIcd ba< 
|I«eii Bttcruce, and hw ibe stiMlite neceiailf, for the amkeof hi«*wa pMMof 
nlod, or cudeaTonriig to era^ntte it rroa hit heart. But, ahM ! ttaii wai MOt€ 
•aiHr thoogbt of than dona ; aad L»rd Kiynond puicd a akaplcH i)l|bt, 
rmlMMng opon etMT palofnl etrtaBitinor, and iota)lf at a !••• to think of sor 
pbn bj which be mishi be able to aeeoMplljh that which hh leocrow naiar« 



tarif tha fUIowtVE daf , Lord RajiiKiod laofbt an loMrvlcw with the chief 
Jntlclary, and cndeanmrcd to aoiTlnca bin nt the in}aitlca h« wu doing to Sod- 
htj, bj longir dolalntnf litn Id prtion, or piltlni him to tartber tr*aMe or 
aazlcl7, after tbe acknowlcdfad awaulat war* In raatodjr ; bol hli lordablp, who- 
wM a Item Jadf*, and a bisol Id hi* war, wa* deaf to alt the Mcpoatnbtiiov* of 
Lord BaipMnd, and eaprtutd hli deiermlnatldb that the whole aMr th««M 
udarfo tbe aunt ■doaie hvttd|adon, hb oplalon belag ancbanftd ■■ r*- 
prded Oodfrej kHng aa aeaoBpnea of tbe robhm, agrioti whom bo bad tomMtl 
IhereMdation ofaeadiagaatroagbodr of men after the irlali were at •■ ead. 

One tablMt had pattUnlarlr occupied the tb«agbi« of Lord Ra^^nd, dnoB 
Ibt daj before, and that nai la ditcor aring that the tntrnj who had iMplred 
Uh wIA to mnch dread, aad wbo bad two or tbm ihnea thmiened Um with 

No. n 



114 w u m m mnm »b laot; o% 

hHjtmfgunee, ww the robker-ddtf« QfMond, tfM ATtngtr, who htd for MNnc 
yean pttt tpiMi mmIi m BulmM U parie aU ovor iSbm eowrtiy; b«t howHwat 
lie ImmI cxeilid Us hatred and reftage, he was at a yttisct Ums to inagliie; 
for^ aHho«gh!ha had looked narrowly into his coanteoaiioe daring the tbae he 
had icao ned his aMmkish disgnise, aotwkhstaiAig Us feacires were s e asc w h ai 
taiUiario him, he had not the slightest raeoUaetlon of where he had seen htan 
before; and he eeiM not recal any dreaotftanee eo hla mind whieh was al aU 
caknlated to assist UaiMaMry. He eonld not help thhAing, however, npon Uot 
wtehfafediagofnttaeeonataUe drcad^and ndHMr eo«M hedhreathis nsfaidor 
an Idea that be was deatlnad to eiperlaMe froni htan some annoyaaosa of a 
daqgsfons and aflictinf desniptloDy whisk he weald ted it ImpessHde to 

Theprtadof qUheitandHephen pr esesd ed that day, and they wars 
to die; bat lb spite of the faMoesMe of QoAkwf bdnc eaCabiished beyond the 
power of any feasonsbis penon to denbt, the diief Jnstlstary and several other 
ottccrsofthsliaw did not tUnk proper to be satisied, and It was resehred that 
Godfrey ahonld nndaigo the test of boiling wnler. It was in nin that Lord 
RaynuMd protested agafaut this bmtal and snperstilioas ordeal ; the Jostieiary 
and tiM others had nnule np their n^ads, and tey wonld not hear of anytUng 
In opporiOon to their deeislon ; and It was resohred that the ring whieh had been 
taken off *Che nmdered oNin's ftnger, shonld be plaeed in a bowl of boUIng water« 
and (hat il Godfrey coald tahe It thence withont receiviof any ln)ary, he shmdd 
be proBonnced gailUess, and hiasself and bis father acqnitted ; bat i^ on the 
contrary, he sboold not be able to take H forth without being scalded, or refhsed 
to pass through the ordeal* they should both be considered guilty, and saffer death 
frith the two robbers. 

It was with sentiments of the utmost disgust, abhorreuce, and Indignation, 
that LordlRaymood heard this resolution, and he felt gratified to think that 
neither Emnestiiie nor Edith were in the hall, they both bdng too ill, from the 
prerious day's trial, to be able to attend ; but such was the state of brutal 
Igooraooe and superstition of those unenlightened days, that many who were 
present felt gratified at the dedsioo, and commended the impartiality and^akOl ef 
the chief Justiciary for the idea. As for Godfrey himself, whan he was asked 
whether he was willing to submit to the test, he.replied, with a look of lneffU>le 
contempt|andfpity for the arbitrary and merciless feeliug of his judges,* 

<* Williogly t— I place a firm reliance in Heaven, which will not saflTer me to 
fall afictim to gross superstition, and shamdess persecution." 

He then breathed a prayer to Omnipoteaoe, and invokiag a blessing on the head 
of Bmnestioe, he awaited with firmness, the most undaunted, Ihe moment wlien 
he was to pass through the ordeal. The bowl was prepared, and the boihag con- 
tents poured into it from a cauldron. Then the ring of the late Reginald 
ha?ing been thrown into the bowl, the right arm of the young man was bared, 
and he was left to choose his own moment for the performance of this dreadfhl 
task. The most breathless suspense perraded the whole court, and the ac- 
tions of Ithe'young man were watched with the most profound attention. Oaee 
more); he prayed tiie protection of Hearen,— then with a fearless expression of 
countenanc*- he plunged his arm into the bowl of boiling water, and to the 
wonder of e?ery one present, brought forth the ring without rscdring any more 



TB£ BOBBB&'t FOUNIMUIKG. 115 



iniiiry Umui m if Um water iMd bM» Mtirc^ coU ! A Kvfliw. •! taHifac^n 
pMMi tkroogh tiM luiU, and Uma «]m dntf JoMiciary cecWmA^— 

<< Godtey 4» LaqF^M paaMtl lfai««0fa tkt ovieal, and broagbt forth tite dog 
UH^wtd; heis> thartiBrc, pnmoMKol ioMctat of tlic foal aad bloody chttge 
of lilnch ko hod prtfioinlrhooo comktod, aod togiihir with hio iathtr^ Ro- 
ulph de Lacys '^ diaehoiged frooi oootodf •" 

Tho fittMro wovonowvtd Imfttho \m^ of ite yoing auui, aod the next 
Mwnai hotaihod la <ie anaa ol hit Mie^ and both friUag oa thnr kaees, 
poatad lorlh ihelt fHMUada to tho iloii ttiih Inr their BiBMolaaadeHfavy from 
the aaffclCHa which hai aoaaway lahmiii belwre tht—Haad thwu 

Thft fiaM ehaUWaas ol teif jay haitaip eafeaaatad thaaMelv«»» Load Hayawod 
'ieiwadai horn the aeat whkh ba had occBf>led, aad ia tba wannest terms 
coogratalaled Godfrey de Lacy and his father apon their acqaittal; after which 
thaeoaiahceheap aad Aa a pas tatora aooa dbporied f thOHwio had been most 
▼iolaBt MS ooadamniiig Oo d lkoy de Lacy^ behsf now the Moasoeisy la their ap- 
phMwe at the deeiaioB which had been glaea by tlMjadfeat aad the mhracakNis 

Load lUyamid hnrkod Biaaliili aad his saa ao hia ca^e» aad the detirioos 
aitaey wUh wfaicb the laacra enhvaeKi each otfier, asal the Arantie traasport 
with which Edith cUuped him to her bosoa^ aad wapl Searaof giatiladeaad 
wiaanded Might, acads m» daauipH aa, Tfaa joy of Bvanealhie was so great> 
that tl oaereamo her, aad aim becarna iaaanaibie. 

At the same time that Lord Raymond €alt tlie most sincere pleasure at the 
rsatoratfoa of Godfrey to llbetty, it waa not oaminiied wfeh a aantimeat ap- 
proachiag to jaalooay, when ht beheld the fond endeataseata tha lorera be- 
slawad apaneaeh other, aad tha ua a ui a gami nt which Raaalph and Edith now 
aaemed to glta a^ their paaslaa ; aad while he raproaehed hl nwa if far the aea- 
timent, he felt it waa allerly ioapoeaibie for him tocoaqoar it, aaderery boar, 
Cfery mhiate, aoried to hicscaaa the iofe wMdi had gahwd aaeh asoendaacy in 
hia boBom. It waa a ramariuMa tfah^ry that ao atMag as were hia detmniaa- 
tioaa, aad whoa it is coasi d Bra d how qaick-aighled f eatooa lota ia feneraUy, 
Godfrey did not marlr the emotions of his lordship^ bat so faily oecapied was his 
mfaidwith other tbaaght^ which the hrte eacitfaai dasaaMtaacea had created in 
it, that the former coaid giro aa ^oaght to aaythiag aise imt them and Era- 



Lord RayBM»d« hte aMthor, aad ijargar rite, treated them hU with tbe;moat 
marlted attention aod khidaeas, aad ao aadi had Lady CeVcathie'a love for Era- 
aestine iocrfaaed, that aha again expreaaed a wiah to take her under her pro- 
tectioiu 

Hobert eapreaaed hia aenaa of her hMtyaUp'a kiadacat aad ooadaaeeasion in 
the most fervent terms, bat, at tha saaia time, aseat nspectfoliy dedlaed this 
oifor, nnAa§s nsore particohurly, aa hfo laaaoa for so damg, that he had been 
ao h»g accoaiomed to her pacaaaaa aad the awattaasa of liar aodety, that now 
helwar shihiagiolo the va:a of Ufo» he eoald not dare to thhik apon depriring 
hfaaseif of her aflbcUaoale atteatioaa. This aigameat waa so fordblo that Lady 
Cciestine confci not offer any appoaldon to it, bat she felt tary much die* 
tatbed at tha ciicattatuioe> tha iateraatj arwe htte before staled, vrUch 



118 XRNlfBSTINB DB LAOT ; OB, 

their swords, and erotsiog th«m; <<dealli and destraction to the hated foes 
of Osmoad, the Avenger !" 

*• Tls wen, my brafe comrades,'' said Osmonds **I thank ye for your zeal, 
and shall not be unmindful to repay it. Ulric, see them to the castle, and be 
careful every thing be in readiaess, so that in case of an attack from those 
whom we ha?e just cause to expect will make one, we oMy be prepared to give 
them a warm reception, as we have dooe ere now." 

*M will obey theoi^capt^,'* aatwered the Ikateiaat of the wihhew, ••hot 
here hi this stioog ftirtr«s we may bid defiance to all the force tkef eaa brfag 
against as.** 

^Thoasayesttroe, Ulric,** observed the rsbber-ehier; ** hot now WMId I draw 
HAw, and the attenlloo of our brave comrades to another subject. Ye all know 
this Emnestine, the fair maid of the inn ?** 
" We do.*' 

^ Then, mark me ; death is the portion of he who molests her, or does net 
protect her when she may require it ! Dost hear ?*' 
** We do, captun, and swear to obey.** 

Enough ; know ye also the lady Blarguerit^, the sister of Lord Raymond St. 
Aswolph ?" 
The robbers replied in the afflrmative. 

'<Then 1 charge ye,~any of ye, that oMiy meet her, make her year prisoner; 
but, as ye fear my vengeance, use no more violence than may be foond necessary 
to convey her to our retreat*" 

The men swore to obey ; aad these mailers befaq^ a^nsted, and Ulric havbg 
seen that the castle was secure from any danger of a surprise, they fathered 
around the festive Iward and conunenced their usual revelry. 

** Yes,** cried the robberndilef, when he letfared to rest, "ihtftii Marguerite, 
the sister of the maa I liave the greatest cause to detest, shall become the mbtress 
of Osmond, the Avenger 1 — Long have mine eyes beheld her with the warm 
glances of desire, and never will I reat uutll she has become mhM!— Oh, this 
will be glorious reve|ige isr the wroags I have reosived at the huuda of Loid 
Raymond, aad will torture him more than If I weru at onee to sucvUke hia lil^ 
which I have the power to do. But w>, he shaU live to see me triumph and 
exult over his sufferings, and to ring my curses in hiieart !" 

As Osmond thus spoke, be clenched his fist, and, wHh a took of determination, 
quitted tlie cavern. 

The chief Justiciary, who, for some unaccountable reason, had become prejudiced 
against Godfrey de Lacy, was resolved, at once, to put Into execution his design 
upon the robber^chlef and his companions, and to endeavour to destroy those 
who had been so bug the terror of the country, more espedally as they had 
been the means of rescuteg from the ireu ftmgtf of the law those Individuals he 
had most unaccountably and unjustly cuodenmedt unhcaidy la hit ows mhidt aud 
upon whom hefttt a staguiiwry itgrei, that he had not hud an iijipeiiiinUi nf 



TEUB bobber's FOUKBblNCU 119 

iafficting thai prndahnieDt for tke crioKS of which they b«4 been aocnsed. The 
chief Jostidary was notorious for his bmtal severiiy and partlalllyy and. In prifale 
lUiB, he was haughty, tyrannical, despotic, and OTerbearing; yet, there were thaee 
who said they xenembered him when his character) was widely dUEerenty and 
when he was as sncfa esteemed for his general nrbane and beaerolent coodosl, 
as ht was now hated, dreaded, and despised. 

This extraordinary change oonM only he aoconnted for through some severe 
domestic calamity which had attended him, [and which will shortly be more 
folly explained. 

Lord Randolph de Mowbray, (the chief Justiciary), had formerly, as we have 
before stated, been heM in the highest esteem, and for the remarkable meta- 
arorphosiB that his character had so suddeoly undergone, no other reason could 
be assigned than that his wife had proved fidthless to him, at least, so it was 
suspected, for the truth could never be folly ascertained, his lordsUp thinking 
proper to keep his private sorrows confined to his Qwn bosom. It was well 
koown, that she had very suddenly disappeared, and it was currently rumoured 
at the times that she had eloped with one of his lordship's menials. Lord 
Baadolph had been summoned to the field of battle, and, during bis absence, 
had left his Uuiy under the protection of Us cousin. Sir Wilhvd Martingale V 
after enduring all the dangers and horrors of the strife ;~after cnoottaterh^: 
every dittculty. Lord Randolph de Mowbray returned to England, fully expecting 
to dasp agidn to his throbbing bosom, a wife Whom he worshipped. Sir Wilfred 
hurried to meet him ; deep melancholy darkened his brow ;— he asked for his 
wife. A tale of maddening liorror was his answer ;— she had blasted her Uir 
name for ever, and yielded to the lasdvioos desires of one of his vassals ; at least, 
such was the account given by Sir Wilfred. Yes, that woman he had loved ; 
nay, adored; whose mildly beaming eye glowing upon him mth innocence and 
aflectioB, had chased every care from his mind ;— that woman was an adultress ! 

Sodi was the tale rebued to Lord Randolph, and which bad not only embittered 
bis future days, but had iieea the cause of effectiog such a marvellous change in 
his disposition ; but, yet the severity and injustice with which he treated most of 
the cases that came before him, was perfectly unpardonable, only as the act of 
a madman ; and many persons firmly believed that the severe blow we have been 
describing, had been the means of overturning his reason. 

Fully satisfied of the power possessed by Osmond, and of the many fiitile at- 
tempts that had l>een made to apprehend him, the Justiciary felt convinced that 
nothing whatever could be hoped to be effected, unless it was by stratagem, and 
with that view, he bethought him, that, if be could prevail upon one of the two 
prisoners under sentence of death, by the promise of a free pardon, to assist 
them in taking the robbers by surprise, (for he was well aware that there were 
maay secret entrances to the castle), they might secure the daring chief and his 
gang without bloodshed. 

Filled with this resolution, his lordship sought an interview with the two men ; 



120 ERNNE8TINE DB LACY; OR^ 

bnt, ifi spUe of the offers that were] made them^ such was the regaid in which 
they held the oath which h^ad been administered to them when they joined the 
robbers, that they refined to divnige a syllable which might be the means of 
endangering the safiety of .Osmond and his comrades, who was held in such re- 
spect, a respect almost amonnting to awe, by all those nnder his command. 
Stephen, in particular, evinced much emotion when his lordship made the pro- 
posal ; and it had been noticed on the trial that he was ?ery much agitated when- 
ever Lord Randolph addressed him, and frequently turned very pale. Several 
times he seemed as if he wished to address something to the Justiciary, but had 
not the courage to do so ; but, on the present occasion, after his lordship had 
made use of all the persuasions and arguments he could think of, to Induce one 
of them to accede to his wishes, and was about to quit the dungeon in which the 
robbers were confined together, Stephen, in a voice ot much emotion, called him 
nack, and requested him to listen to him for a minute or two only. His lordsliip 
most readily complied with his request, thinking, that, in all probability, he 
had relented, and was ready to give him all the information in hto power. 

*« Now, prisoner," said the latter, " what wouldst thou of me ?" 

*' Pardon me, my lord," replied the penitent robber ;— " but, (although by so 
doing, 'l shall, doubtless, harrow up thy feelings), I would ask thee, whether thou 
hadst not once, one whom thou didst cousider to be thy friend ?" 

*' 1 had,— 1 had," hastily answered tlie Justiciary ; his manner being very muck 
agitated, << but why ask me such a question ?" 

** The name of ihUfiriend ?* hastily demanded Stephen. 

<* Sir Wilfred Martingale." 

<< Thou hadst a wife?" 

** Prisoner, thou seemest resolved to madden me !— Oh I I had indeed, a wife." 

"Thou didst believe her false to thee ?— Thou thoughtest she fled with one of 
thy menials ?" 

** Thought she fled !— Alas '. had I not too terrible confirmation of the truth ?** 

'<Thy iuppoied friend told thee so ?" 

« He did." 

''And, two years after the drcnmstance of which thou hast just spoken, that 
frwnd diaappeared, and has never been heard of since ?" 

^ He did ;~krt tett ve^what kuowast then of Idm ?" 

" I am that vlUain 1—1 aas that treacheroua friend, to whom thou didst entrust 
the honour of thine Injured wife,— In me thou beholdest Sir Wilfred Marda- 
gale!" 

" Thou Sir Wilfred Martingale !" eacdaimed the Justiciary, with astonishaent ; 
•Impossible !" 

«* AhM ! my lord," returned tiie robber, 'Mt U too true ; years may have 
elianged my fcaturei ; dissipation asay have altered and attenuated my form ; but 
—oh, tba damning voice of a guilty conscience defies me to forget myself. My 
Lord Randolph, look at me more narrowly ;— dost thou not recollect me now ?" 



THE aOBBEB'S FOUNDLING. 



Tlie Jultdarr did look more dowly ihan before into Ihe counteoMM nf Sltpheo 
fcr m ftw minntes, and thcD obierrnl ;— 

"Thy trotds aiionlah mc ;~ihe Sir Wilfred Martingale 1 called mj friend, had 
a Kar OD hit right wrln." 

"Behold, 'tii hen!" ^aculaled tfae piisoDcr, turning up the aleew of hii 
dooblet, and ezhibidns the icar mentlourd. When Ihe Ju»tlei»ry beWdW, Be 
•tarted back Id the moit Indtaaibable itite of agllalioD, and bit conoteoance 
bmnc rery pale, then clasping hli handi to hi) lbr*b«d, be exclaimed :— 

" Almighl} Father '. ihy waya are, indeed, wonderful } bnt saj, unhappf man, 
Iww canal thon prore tbt iDDoccnci sf inr wife i" 

"In ■ fen wordi, I donbt not thM I ihall be able to eonrioce thee, my lord," 
rqdled the other, " and then rboa wlh eee how inflnileljr wIm are Ihe -decreea of 
OmalpoleiMet "f^t bowerer alow It Mar >»> Uwt a Jul and terrible retribulioa 
ii MK to otenalw ibe RUillT. Long before the dreniaattncca took pl^, which 
e«lled jonr lordaUp to Ihe G«ld of butle, I bad beheld her ladyabip with Ihe eyei 
of 4nhl darire, and when tboa didat eonSde to me ber bonour, and left me to 
pvtact her dnring tbtue^bteiiue from ber anna, I waa ao elaied. Dial it li noD- 
derflil I did not betray mjaclf. Not many dajt after Iboa hadai ^oitled iby 
aaifre laad, I nude the mou bold adfuce* to tlie I^jr ConaUnce, and I need 
bM lay that she nol only indlgaanily rtp«lted me, bui Ibit ibe Mrercly reproached 
■c brny tmwheron) conduct. I acornfully laughed ai ber obaemdona, and 
No. 16 



us smmfiffTnni ds txtti oti^ 

tfetermiMd tktt I woaU s«t abtndoo mj doignt wtil I bad altlmalelj acoon- 
V^Ub^ mf ftMrn^k/i ik^ cooaetftmetM f^ ll«l ihe ftflM of 

Lady GoMtaoee waa pioof agtinac all my 4ctp laU adbeawa^ and I Ibaad Hiat 
I iMd BO cteaot whaterer, anlev It wii by ntiag violnoe. In tbat alao 1 hSM, 
and Lady CootlaBee coatrlved to eicape horn aiy power. I bad aiy apiet about 
in all dIreecioBSy and aoon tvcoeeded In diaoofcriog tbe pUioe of ber retreat ; and, 
one nigbt, when Bbe was not al aU aware tbat the place of ber oonoealaMnt was 
fonnd oaty abe was acbed, by aiy orders, and coofcyed to a place of secnrlty, io 
areniotepaitof tbeconntry, wberelwasresolfodthainotbiiig sbottki again pie- 
Tent me firom gndtfying the wisbes tbat bad entered m; bosom. Id fain tbe un- 
fortnoate lady endea?oured. by every means in ber power to render my base 
scbemes aboitife $— 1» at faMt, sncceeded Id aooompUsblng my wishes ; Lady 
Constance, thy wiffs beoaaie tbe fktim of my nnlawfal desires." 

** Gradons Heafcn !** eidaimed tbe Jasticiaiy, bis oonnteoaoce becoming 
ghastly pale, and erery Umb trembUng with oontulsire emotion ; *' to what a 
dreadfnl tale bave I been Bstcnteg ; bat it cannot be tme !— Wretched man, 
tlma art mad, or wonldst deceive me!" 

**WonMto Ood thy words >ere tme, my lord,** repOed tbe prisoner, "bot, 
alas ! what interest can 1 have in attemping to decdte thee, when I am already 
condemned bylbe laws of my country to die?— 1 repeat, and my blood freeies 
fdtb horror when I recal tbe same to my mind, that Ay nnfortonate wife was 
violated by me. In order to drown tbe voice of saipicion, I had contrived to per- 
snade, by tbe oflfer of a rich reward, Orlando, her favoarite page, to leave the 
castle in a secret manner, and raised a report that she had eloped with blm. My 
diabolical scbeaM snceeeded too well. Tbe world, I believe, geaeraUy tboogbt 
ber gnilty, and for awhile, I triompbed in my Iniqnlty. I iiept the La^y Con- 
stance confined ; bnt, it was soon evident that she was rapidly sinking nnder 
tbe horrors of the situation in whieb she was placed; and that the indignities i 
bad offered ber, and the shame and dishonour I had been the means of heaping 
upon ber, were fast preying upon ber constitution, and tbat she was gradually 
sioking of a broken heart. In the meantime, however, thou didst return borne, 
and tiiou knowest the story which I told thee, and which thou, unfortunately, 
wert too ready to believe. For months after thon hadst come back, Lady Con- 
stance continned to be the victim of my guilt and treachery, and imagined thou 
wert no more, for I had tyld her tbat thou hadst perished on the battle-field. At 
length, however, she sunk beneath the weight of her sorrows. She breathed her 
last, and in* what other character could I view myself than as the murderer of the 
unfortunate lady ?** 

** Oh, villain I villain !** cried the Justiciary, io tones of the most acute agony ; 
''to what a recital of horror have I been listening ;— and this from thee; from 
one in whom 1 confided, as if thou hadst been mine own brother ?*' 

" Ah ! well do I merit thy reproaches, thy corses, said the prisoner, " I am, 
indeed, a guilty wretch, without hope of mercy from offended Heaven i bot, 



TWB ROBBSB^S FOUNBUKOt ISS 

^^eply havQ I i^S<ered ^r the crimei I hwm oom m ittfta, Ia alMMil two years alMr 
iks tfHain to fifiKlands unable to tear the reiiroacbes of my coM«la»oe» aai yel, 
eovac4 l^Xi^x, tMid to coofest my guUt^ and to make all the alonemeat in ay 
power^^I suddenly quitted the country, and it was sipposed ^y ;ou» and many 
others* no doubt, that I was dead. On the continent, I entered into those scenes 
of foUyj dissipation, and vice, that were soon the means of squandering away my 
once ample fortune. 1 became a beggar, and had not a friend in the world. 
I returned to my native land so altered in my personal appearance that it would 
have been scarcely possible for any of my former acquaintances to recognize me. 
I acddentally encountered Osmond, the Avenger, and some of his comrades in 
the wood. I had no money, and knew not in what way to eidst;— Osmond 
seeing me a desperate man, made me an offer to become one of their gang. 
Becklesa oitMy to the course I might in future pursue, I readily yielded my 
eompUanee with his request, and have ever since continued to be one of his 
aasoolates, and never, but in the instance of tiuit awliil crime, for which I and 
Gilbert arc justly doomed to suffer, did I brealc througli iha mlea prescribed by 
li. This is the simple stalamMl of dM facts, my lord, and thorn behokhat inmc 
a (cnlbla evamplt of .tbt relributioM, whkb, sooner or later, is snre to overtalie 

" Wretched mmi* murderer ot my unibrtunato Constance,'* ^ii^ulated the die* 
tnrted VoblciDaVx ** ivhat uaipeakable agony has ttor draadfiil tain inflicted upo* 
my mind. Heaven pardon thee, for I feel that I cannot" 

Hafing thns given expr^ion to his sentim«i»tS| tha Jni^fiary covDied his t*ee 
vi^tli hi;i hai^ds and rushed out of the cell. 

Stephen and his companion sniefed the pennlty of denth fn the aMudemNm 
ttimmjbt^y had commU^d. on «h« IbUoninf. day, aa^, wtth the tovmiaation of 
tho trial, anil tbolr axe^^lion, ^m ezaUomonI which ha4 pvfvalled im such an 
03(|^iNrdlMry doipcoo began to nimtf* Qodiroy, howf ver, fali far from happj, 
% Tisit of Bxnnostintt to the Caatlo of St. iisaroiph, mMhongli It was for a 
lifted pariod* filled hia mui^ with a wkkiy of coflikUM Ideas that causal 
Um tl^ utmoal nafunhiess. Kotwithatandfef , he had froi|nentr-najr, daily in- 
Wrlewa with her, her conduct was nnchaufed ; was ma warn, ns ardently 
af^ctionate a^ it had ever been towi^ him s and hia paranta, and Hohert 
Clenaham\ did not soem to view it with the same ropn^afmca that they had 
pieviooally done y but, yet, whei^ he notloed tlpo attentions of I<ord Jtaymond 
towards Bmnestine, and romomborod many words that lie had premiscuonaly 
dropped, he could not help thinking tl^t hia conduct waa rather romarkahle, 
and far more partucnlar i^ the diBli^te of their stalicAft, and the ctrcnm- 
st^oes caUed for« That ho lo^d her, noTor fbr a moment entered hia 
thonghta,—- at least be could not satisfy himself that such an idea had takaa 
passaiiion of hia mind; yot, there wasa certain faaslHarity in Ua hahitviour 
^*IWK <W?t^ ^^^ "^ ^ ii|B%flB^-Tthnt ha Tiawed wUkMjMMg but ia»- 



124 BRNNE8TINE DE LACY; OB^ 

(ineBit •£ Mtlf£actioOy and he longed far the line when ber rMt to the caftle 
weuld be at an end, and the again became the innate of * The Ftafon,* 
where he might liope to become her companion again, without any reitraint 
npon their conduct. 

True lore it natarally iel6th ; it it tenaciout of loting tlie nualleit iota of 
affection, which it contidert it hat a right to monopolize from the object of 
itt choice, and to it wat with Godfrey de Lacy. 

Filled with thete thoaghtt, a few dayt after the important trial, Godfrey, after 
lie had had an interview with hit lover, waUed forth, almost nncontciout 
whither he wat going, into the dark receitet of the forett ; and ao fully occu- 
pied wat hit mind with the chala of ideas nC bsve heen attempting to describe, 
that he wandered on, without noticing what direction he Wa» gcipgi until the 
thadet of evening had detcended upon the earth, and he had become to deeply 
entangled in the mazet of the forett, that he wat at a lott to know in what 
manner he ihould extricate himtelt 

The tpot he wat in wat one of the deepett gloom, and tuch a place at teomed 
to be teldom, If ever, traversed by the foot of man, and the branches of the 
treet were to thickly interwoven with each other, that their foliage forming a 
deep canopy over hit head, almott entirely excladed the light of Heaven. 
Before him wat a long viita of treet, which teemed interminable, and the 
appearance of which wat of the mott awful description. 

Godfrey never remembered to have teen thit place before; but recollecting 
the different accountt he had heard, be, after contemplating it for a fevr 
seconds, said,-^ 

** This mutt be the entrance to that awfiil place, occupied by that mytterlons 
being, Hal of the Glen, believed, by mott penont, to be a torcerer. Let me 
hasten from thit place. Bot tlay," (he added, at a tudden thought darted 
acrott his brain>) ** what should I fear ?-*I never wilfully harmed mortal, and 
wby, then, tbonld I ?— Betides, if this strange being potsestet the power he 
pretendt to, I may learn tomething from him which I wish to know. Shall 1 
seek his preaenee ?*' 

** Seek hit presence P*' re-echoed a hollow voice, which vibrated awfully 
along the dreary avenne. 

** Ah! that voice,'* cried Godfrey; ' was it only the echo of mine own, or 
that of the power 1 teek V 

*' The power thou teekest !*' responded the same voice. 

**Thlt it no deception,** exclaimed Godfrey, looking with attonithmeot 
aroBod him; **but, yet, I do not see anything. Mytterlons being, where art 
thon ?** 

** Behold !'* wai the antwer. 

Godlrey once, more looked up, and beheld a pair of fierce eyes filed npoa 



THE robber's FOUNBJLING* 12) 

Ua i Hal of tke Qkn stood in liii pretence, tkong h how be had cone there 
he knew not, aniess he had ariien oat of the earth« 

Godfrey ganed npon htm with a ndztnre of wonder and awei and then, in a 
flnn tone, demanded,— 

*< What wonldit thon with me V* 

^ Didst then not iuToke me?" said Hal. 

«* No." 

*' But then didst wish to see ne 2" \ Z 

^ How koowest then that ?" Z 

*'HaI hal ha !— What is there that is hidden from Hal of the Glen}— 
Follow me." 

*« Whither ?" 

" To where then shalt learn all that thou deiirest to knoWf tlthongh the 
knowledge ataj C2Sf9 ^^ ffQ<^ nnhappineis!" 
• «'Ha!" 

«* Dost fear to make (he trial ?" 

'<Fearr rctnmed Godfrey, proudly ; '*what is there that I should fear? 
^Lead on } I will foUow thee, and test the powor of thy sorceries,*' 

^ Enough t" exclalmod Hal of the Gten-^' thb way, and gain iby wlslMe«** 

Godfrey drew forth his sword from his seahhartf, at wMch the wisard fUed 
npon him a demoniacal grin of contempt, and walked on, withont saying 
another word. Or, rather, be se em e d to glide along, Ibr be proceeded with the 
greatest Telocity, so that Godfrey fonnd ila very dificult matter to keep up 
with him, and his feet did not appear to tench the gronnd. As they thns pnr« 
sued their way, the mysterions and inooherent mntterings of numerous Toices 
seemed to dis in the ears of Godfrey { and ever and anon, a strange, and 
scarcely distinct phantom would flit with the speed of thought before his eyes, 
and would then immediately become invisible. Occasionally, too, the wisard 
would turn back, apparently, to see whether or not be was Ib^wing hkh, and 
his eyes would glare npon him like balls of firotf 

Godfrey felt an icy chill running through his veins, but yet he was cess* 
pletely undaunted, and was deteraslned, let whatever might be the constf* 
^uences, to see the result of this adventure. He bad heard many wonderful 
stories about the power of the magician, and he was now, therefore, resolved to 
know how far they were to be depended npon. 

After threading their way along this dismal avenue for some distance, they, 
at length, reached the glen, in which the wisard held his awfbl and mysterious 
power, and here the magician went threngbth e same ceremony, and God- 
frey wis witness \o the same kind of horrors that we have described on two or 
three previous occuions. The magic circle was formed, and Hal of the Clen, 
after giving him the same precautions as he had formerly done to hit fitther, and 



IM sitNNErriNX bb &aoy; on, 

U hori BaymoDdy coanwBcetf hit fscaottttlbii, ffarovrln; v«rfoii> tngreMettt 
Uito the caaldroo, daocio; round It with fhuitfe gestures, and gtrhif otter- 
ante to the following words, that were, at fnterfals, acconpnnled by lotid 
peals of thnnder and Hashes of lightniof , that roTealed the horrors of the plaoe 
in a More ghastly point of view : — 

'' Spirits from chamel house just broke, 7 
Thy mighty power I now in?olie ; 
Aid me, then, to tell this yo«th. 
What he seeks to kaow^the tnitii i 
Sfirlts of darknoitand of airt 
What I would know, now ^uick declare $ 
His Cste has it been to inspire 
A tt&idon's heart with Cupid's fire V 



»>» 



A brief pause ensued, and then a hundred awful voices tiiundor^d '•'th tl^ 
following answer r— 



** Godfrey bends low at beauty ^r ilriOfti 
And is beloTO^ by $ri|0<»st|ne !' 



i»» 



A feeling of eztucy, of aubouaded delight, took possession of the bosom of 
Ctodicffsr ▼be« h« bfv4 this, Md he oould acaicely reetraio the ezpressidn 
^MllJf J i aotwl^ftsi«dinf f tbo rioctrity of Snineetiae's lo?e rebuked no ooa- 
fiipi^ ifiOl Vm, Tie wisard onoe mora danced around the myiUc cauldroi^ 
ai|4 s|<vily sllsrv«|^ broke teth ia ||he followiag stiaki :— 

*< Is the maiden to him true ? 

Smiles she oa no one but he ?— 

The Toices replied,-— 

*' Al^er her wUb li^ve doth ^w« 

Aud ihf his bride's de^stined to 1^1'* 

4galt4^ f!Ql«ii«f tim vkmrd demaaded,^ 

** His name, who lo?es this maiden fair, 
To whom, tho bride, is doomed to be ? 
Mekly, ^piirits, now ^bclart^'* 

SrimiTt.-*" St« Aswolph's, noble lord Is he 1" 

*< Horror ! horror!— I^ord St. Aswolpb, the destined hips%nd of my Eraaaa- 
tiae»" cried Godfrey, ia|tones of dl^ra<;tioB i fie,%4ff of diMrlui%|v I wUl hv y ^, tm 
BMre!— It Is a base mockery I — ATaont, demeas, to thy native hell 1*' 

laslaataaeously the glen became enshrouded in deep and iaipenetrablo dark* 
aemi and the words of Godfrey being folloifed by the most terrific yells^i yiil 
bursts of raperaaturalllau^hter, he found himself alome. 

Icwildertd— paralysed--^horrantnick|^y all ho had mm aad htar^^ ^m^ 



fray 4» L«€y» rtt«ala«d Itr 4ltw aOMileB •PMyWtvlj tnuwtati to jiit iptl, 
ud could aearcelj boUoTe tet what he hod tets and heard was «oi » i$U^ 
timi hot, atle«gth»haviBCpartialljveoofor«dhiiaiolf, hoeaUdBpoaXftlef 
tho Gleoy and coanaadod him to appear obco hofiore kim^ A lo«d h«f4 of 
demoniacal lanffhter was the oaly lOf ly ho net arUh aad MliȤ as irmimiMt 
■■■■■iiia of horror creeftof th r o of h hit vofatf— irhich ho fieand it votid bo 
impotfihle for him to conqaer at that moamot— ho fropod hia way both to tho 
spot, at whieh he had — toaattrod the wiMrd, aa flpoodi^ aa poirihifi 

Tho mooB had ariiOB whoa he arrivod at tho open ipaco loMMdiately hoCiPi 
tho darkavoeae wUch led to Ao gloB, ia whieh ho had lately witiieMod ■• 
maayhocvoni aad tho hrichtaom wftth whieh it heaaiod opoBthe efwaiadhlg 
flceaery, ttronf ly contrasted with the naearthly floom ho had jaat tmmrg^i 
from. His aUad was nekod to diitractioB, aad his hnd* harsed« aa with a 
fever. 

«* Bmaestiae, the hiMe of I«oed Raymond!** he ciM.-^ ImpoaiiUol— it 
caoDot be l^It mutt not— it shaH not bo V— What Aesds aio at work to dialBBfll 
my miad I— I am the victim of ooBM tefofaal apeU 1— Smaosthw, the hiite of 
another! and that aua tho pfimd and wealthy J&U Aaweiphi^Priml I wiU 
aotbeUeveitl" 

''Bat thoa amyest heUooo It I'* eadahaei a voice dose do his ear, aad 
taaaiag rooad faicUy fiM ■matomet, be bcMd the Ml aM ■immiaiing 
figure of Osmond, the robber-chiefj staading at bis elbow. ** Godfrey/' 00^ 
tinued Osmond, '* thou bast visited Hal of the Olen ?'* 

''He hat appeared to me/* answered Godfrey«**ajid prevailed upon me to 
listen to his infernal predictions." 

" They wUl be verified.* 

"Ha!" 

" Who dares to ditpute his. powei;,*' jetmned Osmond i " I toll thee, God- 
frey, that Lord Raymoad wiowa tho hoaateoas Bwnasfinn with the eyes of 
affection !'* 

"Confusion!*' cried tira youfli; *'have mjr tenses left mei or am I made 
the sport of some inscrutable jpower ? — Ounoad, then hast proved thyself to 
be my friend ; do not, therefore, I beseech thee, deceive me, on the preseat 
occasion ; how hnowest thou that Lord St. Aswolph has dared to raise his 
tboagbit to Emaestine f '* 

" No matter," answered Osmond, " I tell thee again it is so, and '* 

" Then, by hell ! he diet!*' exclaimed Godfrey, in a tone of desperatioo, and 
tahiog a dagger from hit botom at he tpoke. 

" Nay^ not so,*' coolly returned Osmond, *' Lord Rajmond mutt not fall 
by thy hand. I have a much more tatisfactory method of revenge in store for 
tooo. 



19S smimssTiNS ds IsAM^y.; ob, 

«« Biitih# wiMfd iMifl pr»gnoHieal64 i\mi he ARlllMtoiM tte tei|lMA4 •£ my 
EniB#i(iBe<" 

" And t*9n let him be so," answered tlie reMier.^^ef, " UuU very ckcum- 
fltanbe win but add to the ▼enfeanee which will at one period or the oihw, 
descend upon hit head with desinictlve Tielence.*' 

'"I do not anderttand thee,*' said Godfrey; !*for the lo?e of Heaven, do 
not raclc ae, bat at once explain to me thy meaniBf !" 

i* Not now— not now," returned Oiau>nd, ** for the present thon must remain 
ignorant of my designs ; let it suffice that I am thy fHend| and the mortal foe 
of Lord Raymond St. Aswolpb; and do not gire way to despair; Emnestine 
sincerely loves thee, and in spite of whatever circamstances may Intervene,, 
she shall oltiroately become thy.bride !*' 

'* Mystery npon mystery,'* ejaculated Godfrey, — '^when will this be un- 
ravelled r* 

>« Wait patiently, and thou wilt see,'' replied the robber-chief; <'fbr the 
preieBt, farewell ; we shall anon meet again!" 

' Thus speakhig, Osmond hastened Into the deep recesses of the wood, to- 
wards the Castle of 9t. Alwyn, and was soon lost te the sight. 

Godfrey paused, and meditated for an instant, but his brain was so be- 
wildered by what had taken place, that he seareely was conscioos of what 
he was doing, and, with disordered steps, be bent his way towards the Castle 
of St. Aswolpb. 



CHAPTER XIT. 

'* There is a mystery about him, lady, 
An air of ambiguity, I ean't unravel. ^ 

He should be noble from his demeanour, 
Tet the fleroe name he baars Inspires terror." 

Blatbd by the happy chaage in their clrcaaMtancas, and the favourable resalt 
of the pafaiful and alarmlag events that had long caused them so much anxiety i 
also sincerely grateftil for the manner In which she was treated by the 
noble family of St. Aswolph, and whieh she had no right to expect, considering 
the difference of their stations, Emnesfine soon recovered her former spirits^ 
and, deli|^ted to see that her friends no longer seemed to be so averse to the 
addresses of herself and Godfrey, she began to look forward te happier days. 

I^dy Celestlne see m ed to make it her study to see in which nmnner she could 
best contribute to her pleasure and enjoyment, and the beauteous Harfuerite 
appeared to be eompletely miserable when out of her society. Oar heroine, 



THE WWBH** rOVNDI,IKe. It^ 



dMrcforSi' It DMd not be HODdered, eiperienccd > feallog <if ngnt m lb* 
time ■ppraaeked f«r bar U )<»• tlM cuil*; awl were II sal that Am mt 
fearful grcaoiiogptiia to ber dear frbada, m»d «••■ (brfctfiil af tbe a^OBBded 
aibctlMi nlth wbkb tbe; ba4 ever bakavad MMWdi bar, ibe coald bare b««tt 
eaatanl to have renalned aa Inmala af Bt. Anraipb tot lb* rcil of her daft. 

Tba Cattle of St. Aiirolpb, ■■ we believe wa haia Mbre Bcailaned, wai, 
la toath, a atptt nufnlBceot aad Teacrabla ■»*»»«, noi men rcturkable for 
lb (otUc arcUtectiral beauilat, tfeaa tba pIclaiM^aa iMsarj anld wUch 
It MbmL III •paelaai balli aad tbaaAan abnadad wilb all thU hadal 
gmdaar csnld laatinai aad iba raaiaalle groaMb kjr irbkh It wai aarreaadad, 
dkpU]F«d the caaiBMMta laMt •( in Wr eaeapaala, M wbuaa jadcateat 
IWr arrangeaMBi wai dae. 

Ma (w« ■laili conld ballar avhadlala la ihtaii aad aBMa^UibMOta Ibaa 
M IbM af aw banlaa aad tba Lmtf Mariaarita i tbay, la fact, leaaad by 
Mtara (arsH ta be caapuiow aad Irlaada. BalbMlaatk adalrais af ibe 
wi^iilM warkiof OMipatMca, h awa tbalr MI|M to waader ia tba flMaM 
Ml, ar b; Iha bb^ af tba palloeld ilnaMltt, whkb ■■aadarad lu rilMr7 
ttmn» IhMBtfb Ibe (ardeaa af Iba CMtlei wbaw Hargwrlia, laklar bar lata, 
apaa wbteb iaHraaMnt ibe wai a Beat aceaaipltobad parftrBer, (ha waald 
•liika Ua obordi la aotai af almpk Btlodf, while BrBMiiiae weald, pratablr. ' 
aecoBpaaj it* iBset (a tone patheilc ballad, BBkt^ the beaajr |raea weed 
IMeaad wilb wetn af baTBoaj aad gladnaw. 

Ha IT 



180 SRN1VS8T1NB BB LACT; OR, 



It wu iipsn oae mf tkete ncicaAiii, wiMi B iiaeatiB C |M b^ea ui teoMits of 
tk« OMtle ftboot a Boath, that havMlf aad lAirf aerita walked fartk into Hw 
foratt, and took their taati oa a graea kaoll In aae of die a»o«t beaatiftil and 
sacladad tpott of ikat daligktfil ptaee. It was a lavety day, the peacafU 
•kade ta wkkk tkay kad batakea IkamtAw was taflciaotly lecladad from tke 
Bcaffcking rajt mi the aaaa-day tan, ta lead er it pecaHarlj pleaiant and 
rafraekisf • Tke fimtkerad «on|^tdra wata waiMag fortk their fwcetest carola, 
aade?erjthiag was calculaiad to looiha tke atiod oppreiiad witk cam into calm 
tmiailltjr. The feir ciaipeaiorifc were quite caraptored wKk ail aroand 
tkam, aad, at length, Ifarguavlla, ttflkiBg the chords pf her late to a fkvoarita 
nMM)» E f naei d na^ la toaaa of oafficieaC svraetneiB ta eackant tke meat 
laee aeikle beiay, eaay tke ibilowh^ 

sawa. 
A taag to tke wood, tke iMiany graaa wood, 
Wkoie eoni laive for ages' to etardOy stood i 
Brariof tki toMpaet, wkfcli erst has kean ddr^i. 
With terrMa wiatk tkroag:k tke kl|Ek writ of ficaveal 
Witk tkakrkfaadbat ta tioMl. dnt tka wad kiMts defy, 
Aad their emerald kaads, that soar ta tka ikyi 
Wkaee tranks haye beea hewn fbr tke occan^s wide iood, 
Tkea a tesf to tke teat af fta kaaay fpaaa waad» 

^ leaf ta tke koaay freen waod. ^ 

^ * / Vt*- m 

Oh t what can compare with the wood's peacefal shade, , 
Its t>ird-closter*d oak trees, its calm, dlent glade. 
Where the wild dear are bonnding so joyoas aad free, 
The eaikieait or gfarloas nkercy r 
Whea SoJ ki kfigkt sphMdaar awakeaa the mom. 
And Is heard tke iMdaoleaaf tke farcatar*s kora ; 
Tken find aia tke ckari, aaiong Ufe*s kamaa brood, 
Wko would not a song fbr the bonny green wood* 

A song to the boony green wood. 

^ Cbansteg 1 exqaisHe 1 mf sweat SraBastkiev*' ^acalattd Margaarita, is 
aacaataof adauratiaa, wbaa a«r kaioia* kad fialsbad the above toag; ** by tim 
kitMad Virgio, than dael iaiprare disly,. aad b^in tamake me ^ta atkapad 
of my poor skill on this Inttrament.*' 

^ Xkaa art iliipuiid ta iaiter my kamblaabilltiea Ikdy, matkiaks," replied 
Btfnaastkw, blashlag deeply. at tka aaf Hint wkicb Margaariti bad 
bet ; ** I dtitt¥ii aat enck praiaa^ 

'« Kay» my a«t se, my deaa gbl," said MM^atrita, nveatiy, <^forlhMi 
thyeakf aa t ^ea Hia t- tkaa art daatrvkig af br greater ewiag^wmi tkaa maj X 
caa k stlo w apaa tkea» Hy btaibat kit laet a treat, whiak he wift aus^ ■■1«^*» 
orsoatk, whea I iaiarm kka of if 

" Tky bffatker ! lady^** said aar keramr, ia aceeats of timldily, and east 
li^iBg cane orer her wbicb i^a bad nerer oiperienced before. 

<* Yet, Emneitine,*' aniwerad btr aattpkaioa, ^ d^m kaowtit RayMoad It 



VHX a^BHiRtt wmwmwLMSQ. 131 

/ 
•a K<y ggwt ainiiBii 6f <hy.f»ial p«#cvi| aad thtt was itm irtl toaf 1m beard 
Iheetliif. llwv frtqaeaUy heyd Mm i p — fc totinnxiiftw attfcificr 
^i^vMd^lhM «dit anwHaft Ml Ant oooiiiMu Hm teowMlBy brotbtr Iim 



I aoi iMiiAil tel liMd RmjMMMl kai^tikfcptd Maalaral fMCTMrtmai ttad- 
>a>ftg4 d i^oiMi o a ta » n j ai l i » -tot ia ifci» iaK^ca^ Prain ftmii todi a 
Mwuca ls» MciMl, UfUf IIUtaiiiiC«o«M^' 

«« I 4M deliffMcA to kiar thte tpMk Unm, agr dnnirittg EnmftiM,*' 

•Narveil MafgaeiiiB^ Imv htigU ejM,wptlt\Wm§ wMk mMHSooaI Iwcn, with 

4^1c«i«r« aad viiadlf i «« I ftal agMlf •qwOly Iw oawd wilk ny irolfeer 

fi»r te nnifH»thl tbNihMl baitowed apOT Un^ a coMi^liaeal, ft wonM ia 

complete afl^rtatlao ia nw to seek «a daay Ikat ho Ihlly doMrrea.** 

*• Oh, I aoi cooidHrthe doei,** laid firMaiHM^ i» taaos of ardent fbcerity $ 
•« aad aofca ihall I caoM to noMiribcr Ub wi* Ihi almott rofaHt Ibr the*--**' 

•«' Too gemu^wp^ aad hoao moi Ernaiitlai,'* at that l ae i e a t oxelafBiad a 
vaka iaaeadiiAtljr hahhid^ thaait and tho aest-ttoaMSt &ard RayaMfid itood 
hefore theai» hit eyo0 haaad^p aaiUyitJWlia orihaatoH *whoottded a dairatfo a 
apoa oar iai ply ^hl atW o g ' oad' oa a l aw d Mroiio. ««Alaf I** ha coatlnoed, 
^homtMlk I. over ho dhlar ta eftiaii' tJht yopor mtm ofgratitnde, which 
^aodh ma | i i> ii» aadaltowd hytheoy dtt ifioa IHmaif nwyaia HMdlproof 
of the ■antinenti with %hldl thoa teM hm^iHji mdt oa my kaao tet to pmiaiy 
lipOi^oa tUM haady •■* ta'aaaalt thao-*-** 

** Hold I andaciona nohla 1'*' eried' av oaiofei voleo, aad in aa fttstant 
Cadhe y tag h e d ^ i e t p ia Biao a n l a e aad'- Land Kaymoad, m the hrttar wai 
about to knoalt and irowninf fiercely opoo him, gtaspad tho arm iff Ui lottr 
wUh a;ifctenaiaod. airw Tho group Aataed a vMeaa of a et oa hhaent and 



**How nowi iinrahI*Verlad Lord I U ya i ond» wkea ho had partitny re^ 
covend IdmMllj aad la hidigaant tanea;— ** metMAi than #Det Ibrget IbyMlt" 

** MotMnko lAoa doet forget thyw^; my Lord Raymond St. Atwolpb,'* 
rapllad the yoaog nmn, wltt a hold aad andannted air; ** methlaks thou dost 
Dirgec thytelfy that boldly ta ad ranee thy salt towards one who is the affianced 
of another* / 

** lasolent!** ijacalated hfs lordship, who was unable to controul his anger 
within those bounds which reason usaally dictated to him ; '* were it not 
that the diflferenco of oar rank protects thee, thou shonldst repent this/' 

** Were my Lord Raymond sincere ia bis threats.** returned GodCre^f, with 
equal ipirit« *' be would not endeavour to shield himself behind (he bnlwark 

of his rank!** , % * ^ 

** By ail my bopes» I cannot tamely brook this!" ezclainiedL^d Ray- 
mond, passionately dcawing hisswpcil| and rushing imi^tooiisly on (vodfroy; 
hot at that iasunt Eraaosthsa uttaved a load eoraaaHaad dartiag io hetweaa 
Mi lordship aad her lover, iha died, ia fraa^ aef«ll^«* 



132 BBHNUTINB BA iiACT; OB, 



« Ohi^liold I bold I mj lwi4i te ilw Wm tf HmMl^-iw ay •*•» v«c qp 
Ihjswor41—Godfir«jr# art tk«K sail** 

*' Madl-»M>ai'* wtptttd tlietoHttw «* € ii ft» t M i ■■ ■ it / ^ywM M fc uk i 
Mt^Can tUft ^ ay BniaMttee,«idplMAlDf foroisrttlMrlviar 

«* Qodfir^y t" ^aftilated ffw i M i t iM , M |n ai fct i l l j , u« hmnOmgit^um^ 
<«flMit**<ptfatftaofc«<Miyof ■ i l l ■A JMtlwwha^IdWie i i o dl liter 

*' FakMt My^** nid i«ordBay««id»'UppMliiot t#tUthi«MRMifyMti; 
IM wiU l»f« fM4 rMMBt HMthiBki, im ffvpMt ftit iiakMit{ svcli b^teviMTi 
ibwiith, bot iU htaa^ai ikt wdoar •fMieof ihesMrt fMrtle of bor itz.** 

•^ Bt othf t ** tetempM IiMy lUrf«erHe, io ponvative tonet, *« pr*yllMe 
let M relirt, and leave Godfkey and Eianettiee to tbeBtelves ; aa explaii«Uea 
ttmk ker lipt, I am ceovlaced, will tbew bin bow af^fatt bare been bh 
Miplcloai» and aeeda ao awaraace from aie. Cobm, RayBead.** 

** Sweet abler,'* leplied Lord RayMad, *« I wUl yield cempllance witb Iby 
itk^mt for Ibe take of Braaettf ae, lo wboa^ the aaiais ferbid» tbat I aboaM 
ht Ibe caote of one aewent^i aagolih. Godfrey de Laey» I do adein Ihte 
to eadeavoar to eoetroiil Iby pewJiai wHb tbe boaadt of pi adaaoa, aai 
jrenember tbat aiodeity bett beceiaa l^.baaibto raalu* 

'* Godfrey de Lacy aeede ae iator to Lard Raywead flt* Ajtaolpb/* haifbtf y 
replied tbe yooH BMa» «' Bettbar, tbeagb baabla be Ue nab, «r01 be MMiy 
brook en l^nrj froai 9»j mm, baw r a iat aehto any be thebtoed ^irbtab iiwa 
wilUa bis foiai, or lofty tbe otattoa be bold to eoctoly.'' 

" Godfrey,'* ^Matoted BnMtltoe* wMb «adi iwartf, ««lf *o« vatoaat 
■y tovf» oeaee Ibie o ib aiJ e a teaof wld eb * * 

'* Ob,ieir Bat,la»,'' tototiaptod bto liiiiblp, **fer t»|rw*» ^ will not Heed 
blewaidi* Fj^ tbea welL*' ^ 

Tbae ipeaktoft I<aid RayaMiad kiNed bto bead to oar berolae; Marfaertte* 
iBiiled iweetly apea bar, aad laktaf tke arm of ker brother, toey walked ea 
towardi the eaatto, toairtof tbe tovert to tboBMolvef. 

For eeoM aitoatte after Laid Raymoad aad bto sliter had qaitted tbe spelt 
nfitberGodriay or BroBestiae were Me to speak to eadi other; aadtbefonaert 
wilb tolded arss and eeatraelcd braWj walked backwards and forwaids wUh 
ODeveiiaad agltaled stepSt while bto heavtogebest, aad tbe sighs that frefaeatly 
cisaped Ms besa«i told at oaee toe nental aogatoh he was endariDg; Sim* 
aesttoe^ too, eeiaeed tbe gi e atoH cnolton, while, at length, her frelinp een- 
plete^ u iar iw we i e d her, tbe bant Into tears, au^ pladog her long fair ingen 
on bes to? at^ am, she loefctd ap leptBacbfaUy to bto tooe, and in a foioe of deep 

** Atas I Godfrsy, what eiraage iatotaatton has ta&ea possession of tbj rsason { 
iKNv has tbiat Braaefitiae descnred tbto ?* 

** My Biaatitfaii/* t e pm e d tbe yoaag au», paostog, and looking at her sted- 
toUiy, «idtobatoviifB slti«ntod to repress tbe powertof fiecDngs of Jcaloaiy that 
racked Meiatod, «««qriiot sat IbftgaawB medreryi ihoa art ao longer a^p 
g i ai m< a i < na baM die iHi ai mm c to rt i y, bearttotoiy decdved aie !" 

" Ge«ftey,f ^aaitotod Biaamtow, itf i iMgM mnitaent of offended pride 



TBS ROBBUI^S FOUNBLIMG. IBS 



MMlfHflM— > HW iwT b 8ii«» ** titft ftmn tbtt ! But no, so— aly ••» nmtl 
lufedcoeifwdmel Tlwe cmMit net be lo ttnluH lliuuMwtbelifcoiBftogmMiT 
•0— .nnirytMilB iiliriaB i uifca wliij I mm ttlB tUiklMwdl'of Godftvf ^ 
Ucj, to tttppqie hte cafsblt of Mlamliiift saeb IdcM of her iMw Imm ew 

ahewn iuMfiiiiWfiolr* kov JmiWt *•* MiflwMHwMy ifco lo»iw fcto.** 

boil diftiacsei^ wcl LwveAMl tlb» ao» »0f than wm ■ Hmt% — d'b«»« lew 

ferfeetly. more ^ooerdy, than tbov didit me; botllM riderfie ie ied IbeiHil 
is past— the misi it itMOfed finea beftue mioe ejfcs i Krneettiae'^ beMriMeoge 
Bol to QodCrey de Lacy I" 

'<Oodlre]r»" said Enoettiii^ in a foioe balf ttifleil by aobat jmmI twwiigaiwqr 
ber bead, " I wiU not lepioacb tbee, for 1 feel afiored tbat tby nind mwl be 
diaeidcred« or neter conldst tbon gi? e utterance to laagna§e aoeb aa tbitt le bar 
wbo baa e?er been ready to vake any aacriboe for tby lake. Abiai abn ! wbal 
acrael fitte ia mines ^ *Mtt ^ toapidooa of bim for wliom efery Abre of nj 
aoni Ibffoba wMi woaum's OMiat aidenl aiKBCtion.'* 

'•iMoaHfae/' retmned Qedfkey, << canst tbon deny tbat I can^t tbis titled 
wooer on Ids knee al tby feel, preasing tblne liand to Vi» U|i8, and brentliinff 
forth ianaeanu mi elafamee» tbe protestations of bis k>?e and admkation?— 
Did no»nibia eyea bahoid tbia BMHtnlnftditbt, I say? Deny tUs, and I wiU 
aclfw p wln dp bow walfclbatwwwn g ed tiwot and make tbee all tbe ato n ea ent 
in my power.** 

"Irwnfftdwiy I wiU aMaHsniH «o disown* ^Mfrey,** said ibe beaoteona 
mahkn, **tbai than canght Lord RayaMnd in thopoHtknilboa bnai described i 
bnll« had tbnt wawsnl only nMdo bia appsasaaan to ase, and Ibe waida te 
gave nttsrance to» were only socb aa tbe ardent natnre of Ms senttiniinls nntf 
Mendsbip* I tel eonfident, praMpM.** 

«< Priendsbip r* reiterated tbe inpetooas yontb» witb a bitter entile i <*bnb! 
it ia tbe libertine'a BNMk-tbe filbdn'a sIkWd I Vdildolknnwibobaae 
tbese noMe sycopbants wukit nae of« ia order to fiMtber thsir gaiiip ai 
nestine» canst tbon, wilt tbon aoienurfydedan tbat .tbon Iwatnover 
byword, by tbonght, or by deed, the pnssiem wbicb, 1 nat ssrtain, Loidltay^ 
atend 8t. Aswolpb bath Imbibed for tbee.** 

^ Godfrey de Lacy/* atdemnly returned tmr barofam, and in acaanta that 
i ma men t or two abashed tbe yanth» ««if tlMMtcanatthtekaobMaiyof ~ 
thw,slie is unworthy of tby lovei andttmigh ber paacnof ndnd be 
forever-»thongh ber hsnrt be brokeain tbe atttaiptt she wili rakaaa then froa 
tbe fows thou haat so oflen mnde to iXr, and »** 

<*Haarate, SmaaaHno, for the lof of He eesn / ' in t s w np wd O sd>t j » a aasa d 
to airaoy by tbe altoratien hi her aiainifr,and the jnisassdtpol haria— ^ **li 
I bufo been premptad by tiM fervnnr of nif Join for tlMO^ to4o ^eo wnsigii I ha* 
pieretbeetoforgifOBseibQtnnswtrBtetwnorihsenfBaBllenak Moy^then mwtb** 

«< What wonldit then of me, Godfo^ r Mkwi IbodaBMel^ thnUlf. 

'* Tib me, baa Lord RayataN evw? bafoit aNde any ndtMasn lawMda teal* 

««He has ncfert bf word or dc«t«NniJi« rsaaan>ioliMwi tiUhtMtfof 
BM any other sinilmuat fktm tiMW of fMaadsidpt" 



:tS4 BSNioNrmvB H liAVr; mi, 



lam an wnk ipp y w mU i y Ibw ■■i uni KJJ j tg »>■ m y niei ♦ftilmininty 

WNWfy iMMa fli ht9 §09 % nioMMsnt villh ■■ Hmm totaMil^ 6^ vniniy ivMcb fwftcd 

Byidf ? II GtDnol be ; EraneMiDe false to me ! love asotlKr, alltf dl tfte 
m iii w aiiii a i iM aia l iiiiattiioollaaMWie f lu g ji pa a tib le ! To believe that 
wmM be to aupact tbal tbere Is m^iwrllf in tieaveo. Some aoometl apdl 
bat takea fow ml ap af »y aeaaca. lattMad! Wby do T take Mch |«Im to 
aaftara aiyaiir? Wvetcb tbal I wmn be to aeaase iMe beaateeas laaacent of 
iMtfboaifaK % iboadpt winch tmtb aaa vfrtae wvMMbiarilal'f Bat^ w^ nv) aiy 
braiD wanden— I know not whaft I aai attetiag !— ^Ito ft toaoeeati or vlrtae Ma^ 
li gnHtf !«-Bal thea tbe y ■guaatiiatliai of tlie aMgiekaa !«**Ah I tbe raaoMeetion 
•r tbeai again aMddens iae!-^Tbe poritkm, too> Id wfaikh ff eanglK Ijoi^ 1bi)r- 
riioady wUcii taenad ao well to aofvaboiala tiMBk \ DlilMctk% lk#^lMi 9 wane 
thaa tba tonnenti of perdition !— I Shan go aHMl ! 

««^Qodiray,'* aabbad fiMth tbedea^i^ B gi taii d B iBB ia Haa^ wbUt mt ttpatiaHn 
of her iparkUng eyei beamed reproach and innocence upon him, '^ I Mt «ot deaai 
I h at i t haa eaa Mit do the t ea tfn n< B i —m il aa the juj aa the t o d n ait I w i la a n l m icy ; 
bat k appwaia Hawnhiad w p a agy and aiaca it k sd^aad tlwa ii fp ertt -fcar of 
ah* mMt be aaanatliy of ihjFtee^ and thm^i ii i does the atrtlggle 
vaageta paaelona ait her Jasait^ and raifgv thaa^ liuaafaj^ hapteg 
thou mayeit ftnd mmm other girl, who wUI tea* thea wMh' the i lit i fcy; Ae 
feifvoar, thai the daaa *.*' 

<*BinaMrt— /' eaalaiaMd the ynaag aia% with' the iHMt lateaaei the maat 
vi^fanaMa eamtlaa} ^thas aaiaagarloacaaaM^caavthaci dldat,aa#Mw 
^■■v flfliHata OB enaaaeao caav aiaaff aw anatoBa l ■ 

''BytbaBknad Viithilha»waaaiaaiaie,Oadfrey; dtcplyi craatty, wrangtst 
me !— Have 1 not ever proved by my t aa rt a ti ^wt thaa, aad the* oiriy, wart 



:thg ptai— w #f my heart, md, that, wmo, thoaM Me aaddn that we ll|dit 



b«aabad,^aaw^kBih»lBBaef Hieaveih laweanthat ae^ other 

•TCoeka my lave^my hand !" 

^*f Ah t laymt thee ae l->aiMa, why nMMdaaetofemah» baaeaih thk roof ?^ 

*• And tfainkest ibon, Godfrey, ihi» tlir«aa«Mibma jeakeay woaM «per l iidie iL 
metobehafwwitk iapatHude kaialilu'ihate>ai whom wwaaa'aU latafgdyin- 

^baed ?^ diiiamdid fliBamtJao^ •**. Mafia famdri layi aai h ia n m hb iaa wn l M.i 
midakier/i'we'aregMailyiBddblad; they haae thoagfat Ik to^ tiaat aa wkh Ukt 
lamhiiil Binlamua. iikkhlhii mftiiaiiii ni lai unUffii Trr^T^r-|^^ — ^^~t tn 
expect; they tmm bMamail tm.mkh thafar Mmdilrfpi add thaB i gietdltously 
fti»ak«thiBB»^ li^ jia t i^ t h Hr b lap k i Bly a#mi maia «i|>Hoaf-**No^ €oMey, in 

^thy nafoandiidi #elnMy thoe <iaal fiirval thaae letlamnk af leaami and 
generoilty that have hitherto -«»*•*— --i—» ♦»- ■ ■ •■ 



TAB MWIKB^t. YOOllBUVtt. IM: 



Oodfoy pMaedj Md iMuiMi atan f«r « km ninaiss, MMnkig tte ptaMe 
wttlib M l ly L Bgd ■■i f in i nUkp b Hfe.mi <wM«ii^ hoied todtap tiiMrliB» 
«pdwaft€ag^>edin»f»tofBl|iHK>ew*l^teftiiiiHi. &f nM iii> i im iim ma m 
tee, WM cadoriug lil the pd^QMl Mvalik whieh tie <iratiiiiwwiM JuiAfl?eii 
tkei%a»dooferias kef fMe viftb her iMiiirie, her grief fomkl neoi le dnrp aodl 
ceafobifc lebe. Oodfiey tnree d Ue efee t e n e rde her; mA, lAer.a lufH e 
lieiitation, he epproacbed, with sd ahrof genliearfe^ aai Id eahdaed aeeeiMe* m 
he took her heaipfjeiibtMl,— 

" Ernnestliie, dearest ErnuesUoe, I feel that I have hres wimig; bat tbe 
•tMBfth el avf affeeiioe for thee badr bees the aele eatne; aayy eMMt thoa, 
wilt thoa pardoo me ?" 

Oar be e ele e looked epwitb •• eatpr ewl ea of the aH>al nebewided tu ad u e e ie 
throiiKh her teart, aod, after stmggllDf for a iDoaiieiit with her fedfaiga, the 
repnCOy eweetljfif* 

** Forgife thee, Godfkey !— oh, caost thon doebtne for m moaoeM r*-'Bat,'* ihe 
added wMi the meet bewite Mag iiilmne aod iiaifficlty, <M cisAol jMi my 
pardoB, wiiboot encting eertalo conditloae l^iem thee." 

'^Name them, aimeten Braaeittiie,'* otU Oedfrej ,*--»* there It Bethhiglfaou 
caast reqeeat of me that I will refose thee/' 

*< NeMv t^eepcst theae m>)m meplciow; that it all i wmM it—ad !** re« 



*< Aad Ate da i e e l tii a ly »— iw tige, aty let^,** taid Oedl^y, asHepreised 
the binMbg maideo to Mb hearty aad they eealed tbeir reeowdHatleti la fhe 
meet foffvent hiatet» At thai aMnBtne s loadewd bellow Uegh retiNiadcd ihritigh 
the «oed« aad made timh>«eei both ttart,«idle0b fearfolly aroond them; bit 
imth fa g at aUmet tbehr gaae, awl B i aa taU ae tm m b le d f iel ea tly aod' f l ae d tery 
pak^attheiiaiabwliy eCthe ihta^imati. Q e dfre y dmw hie awowJ, m^ i gH w. t ' 
lawaeoi/tBe tpet nmm wBeBoe-iav eiMMNw epptAPeo te wioi^ escmmnigi-^ 

^ Some laeoleat ckerl hath beee wMcMng at, oad Htteolng to ear eotfv«vie; 
hot, by oqr trotb, be tboll pay dearly for bieboMtaete ood cariosity.** 

He leaehed tfar plaee, o ud'to e bid moood hha, bat no tffkfeot met hit gate, 
aoi alter a ailaate scMllay, he theatbod Ide gW ii til ag iltapoa, aa# retvroed 
ta B r n a eeth miBg ttoie ef the m e u t Ig Joail bi djlL a m afehment. 

«< Wh» eaa-it hate beea r* be cfM, «Mam ixtvai«r 1 wae notmHttakea.'' 
. *• Oh» d eab t lmt , H woe aaly tone vaaHe pastlag tiong, and jetiag whh hie 
ion," aaid Bnmettlaev wbo* hod qalddy r eei i f ere d a>em the mUrm lolo 



''Aye, likely it was so," aatwered Godfrey, eodeafviariaf torfgahi hit oom- 
poaove, bat snegrrdbig voryladMfcffeiitly ; ood after nmiy other tender asseve* 
ratfont, aod em bBrn m , they pmratd^ aad Oudft^j beat hit ttept fiom tike canle 
tiworfs the ■iildimaa af hlefoimr, teaplteeCtlmvawaliefcadmaielbfeniDet- 
tloe, hi: did not feel at all aadtfied with the coodoot of Lord Rayoiond, e tpt chdt y 
after the elf lawiiMiatim hoi <ltatiied| omt the pitgutttltaOai ef Ha^af the 
vNO^ 000 JMt OMM woeditMrtad odni o eone^f of eooflletlog thoogiilt, wheoy 
ladiroliv ha fiek Mo ago a fwH id, ood tmmbig l eood , he mat t h a udei't t iaeh afc 
btlMridlog the awfta aod mytlerloot tahjeet of hie thaoghtg» Ibe mf^WaH^ 
log before Mm, and gazhig apoo Mm with olook of deoMniacal ezaitaUoa. 



186 mwMvmnmm bb lact; OBy 

QoiirayviMilMrttedbyyBtaddMi «M naegpectcd ippwinmw, ud Hal of the 
•tea ■iip tw ft * lo' notice bit coolMos wHli a look of laHiilMlioii, aad again a 
losi lauflfof soperaalOFal nwllatloB ei cape d Mtt^ asd HMMletlie fiood fetoand. 

« Plead! aocoerar !" at length cried Godfrey, worked up to a pitch b otd cri nt 
■poo madncMKirfaat whh Us own feeBn|i,ae regarded the Incident we ha?e jeet 
keen telntlng, and the wild niilh whkh the satfcfaui ezMhited; " for what 
ceaieat then here ? To mock mo in my mieery ?* 

<«T6 tell thee that thim art an easy dupe,— a fool ;" rcpHed Hat 

<' What BMancat thon ?** 

'< That thoodecelfeitthyieU; if thonthinkeit that Lord Raymond lovee not the 
fidr Brnncstine, or that she will not become bti bride.*' 

** Lying aoieerer ! Iiat the not iwom to lote none o4Mr ; to bafe none 
otiMrbntme?'* 

<* She hath; bot ihe cannot c?ade her fiite; Emnestine tball become the bride 
ol Lord Rafmond St. Atwolph :** 

*\IU> WBonl demon, tbon moclMat mel— Then teekett to drlte me to madoem; 
I will no longer listen to thee I AnmaiV 

<<Ha! ha! ha!"langhed themaglcton,M he gndaaUy faaiabed, «'tboawilt 
be glad to seek me anoii| Godfrey de Lacy l** 

. The yoang man clasped Ids forehead In a deBrinm of agony, and fot some time 
alter Hal of the Glen had disappeared, he stood in a bewildered siato, nnoertidn 
In what manner to aet. The weeds of the msgidan had thrown bin into a 
slate of the utmost agltatiott, and a baening fever seemed to rage within his 
brain. At one BMment, be detenained to nelnni to theeastle, and oneemore 
seeking an ioterriew with Emnesdae, aocnse her of deedvlog Um, and faitfsi npon 
her jmnKdistely retaming heme, or to acknowledge her hypocrisy, and confess 
to him at once that he was no longe r dear to her* Then, again, he woold np» 
braid hlomelf for donbtbic the tmth of timi foir maiden, who bad madtf every 
sacrifice for his sake, and reproached himself for placing any belief in the 
words^of a ftend, who seemed to doBghl In working the arisery of mnnkind. 
Bnt the more be relfocted, in spUe of all Us efforts to the contrafif , bis Indigna* 
tien iMiaiBst Lord RaynMnd Increased, nntU it reached an abnoet nngovemaUe 
pHch, and his soni began to lUrst far vengcnnee. In a slate of mind he hnd 
never before experienced, he walked on, wHb Ms eyes hem to the enrth, and 
in profbnnd thonght, and he had not proceeded fv, when Ms arm was arrested 
and hli name bdag pronoanced, be looked np, and beheld Osmond, the robber- 
ddef, standing before bim. He looked athim earnestly for afowndntes, nnd^ 
then. In a careless tone, ^aoolated :— 

«< So,— Godfreyde Lacy} so gloomy and thongbtfU? Whalbntb eccnrredto 
distarbthee? Hath not thy mistress, the fMr Bmnesthn^ pl eas e d thee ?" 

*<Confioslon!"cMhamed Godfrey, with resentBsent.**oomest then here also to 
mocksM?** 

**Ni9, then dost me wrong, yoniu% man," ansWimd Osmead, '^metUnksthoo 
hast hitherto fbnnd the robber-cMef thy friend, allhoogh than mayest not consider 
tbyaslf arach bononred by the aoqaalBtaaoe. Bnt I see htw il Is, tbon danbiest 
the fMeUty of fimnesline." 

«Ido." 



TUa BOBBCR'S FOOMDLIMS. 1S7 



" Tbo* wronpett bn !" 

" Bat Lard Bayarand Iotci her." 

« He doM, ud tlie wiU bnome hli bride." 

" Agoof Bnbcwmble*" ^ualited Oodficr, " bat howknownl tboalbu }" 

"BccuM I ua detemiBcd to do >U in njr pomer M effect tb«l otijccli" wh 
Aa mniwer a( tlie robbtr-ehlcf. 

"noa, OtWMd,— UMuferiedOodfrCTi^aaMumeai. 

** Vai, I nptati AM 1 «11ldaaUiaairi>n<*<r tobrluiaboitaanlotiitltliLoKl 
■^■oai SI. Atwolph, and Enandnc." 

"TbU Inaaibeei Oanond,' cxdaliaed Oodfrer ;" thou wbohMI ban iiinute 
riMe aiMiral me of ihj fricndiblp towanfi ae t" 

'< Aad I tald Ibee Mlf thr Irath |— ai tboa wlli Hod." 

"Tbov ipe^Mt ia probleBU, robber; how cunt rbaa be mr fiiead, wbcB 
Umm declanat thlaa inteatSon to endcarDBr to Mag (boat a aidcM bnweas En- 
acattoe ud Loid RarBood }" 

"Tbooifa tbe wed* Lord Ramond, b will aet prereiil bar aaptWi witk 
tfcae; and »Ulbetbemeaa*of ajMopljaTCBiiBiBTtclf •■talBlbavcioaMdt 
reaMB to bale," 

" Tbii mpterr Ii HMlziB> t OutatA, If there ti aajthing Nrioat la tbj wordi, 
for Hcavrn'i takr , explain ibca (o mo." 

"Notai pre««ii," retHiied Oimoad, "it aiitbi be the naai of dirnilog nj 
porpoM t oDCBBian, I teU tboe, ibiX lh<'a hut noi amort tUcrra irta-odioroBa 
thatwUldo Mora to Mne tbee, tltj Umund Hit robbcr^M. hi I mml 

No. 18 



188 imUHMTINB SB I/ACT ; OR, 

begone, f have bttiinett of imporUnce to attend to. Thou ciost tell Lord Raj- 
aM>nd 8t. Atwo!^, aad tbe otbert that have dared to tkreatea me, that I defy and 
defpise tten all, aad tlial. If tlMy attenr^ ia distarb Me in my retreat, I wOl 
glfetheiDsacliareceptiooasibefwiU not caaOy feffet. IVU tlMoi thai OsbmnmI 
and bis bnre conradbs laagh to learst aod hid rtetaaea lo aU tlM foecethey can 
bring agaiatt thorn, and with their food yew howi, ttd trMp blades, wiU deal de- 
struction anong iheni, nor yidd while a pmb of them hath a spark oCiife 
remaining. TeU tbem this ;. aad, monof er» thai the robbcr-cbieCis wsitioi \m^ 
patiently for the sport. Nosr, Am thee weU, Oodftay d«i L«cy, and brol fml 
dieer, for wb&st tboo hast a Criend Ia Otmoiid* thou hast nought to fear.'^ 

Havinir given nttaranco to these words, bsfore eodfitsy hsd ^lam lo retvn 
fay answer, OssMad left tho spot, and in ap taslsnt wa$ ovt of sighC 

** The fates hftve ooaa pir cd to fortaie mo lo aiaiaes%!' exclshacd G odgr sy » 
after a punse,--^ what eaa all this sMoal Hint oaai I cMdude fram the wordh 
aad aysterioas hehavloar of Osmoaiy or has he mXy 4ftm this So lacreMO my 
anguish and s a ipsi s ? By Haavii I Ishall fa wBd! 1 caiaot eadare thla I Oh, 
Branestlne, didtt thoo hat know tho svflmlaf I am aadtrgajag, ovea though 
thine heart is ao looger mlae, I am cartfthi iMi wovldst pity mo. Pity I ajid 
from Ernneatine, too ; alas t there is samathlag ao dofsadlng to that word, 
that metbinks erea her acorn woald he praferahle to it« Fierce thovghfs 
take pomessSoa of my hraiaf— let sie endoavoar to ij from myself.** 
"^ With thoM words, Godfrey clasped hb handa to hmfbrehead with the most 
indcicnbable agony, and mihed with wild and disordered steps towards the 
deepest recemei of the Ibrest, there to give rent to the anfuish which filled hia 
boMin. Arrived at a spot which was seldom trodden by the foot of maa, he 
threw himielf upon the eaith, and covering bb face with his hands, gave 
indulgence to a passionate burst of emotion, in which one moment be blamed 
the conduct of Brnnestine, and, at another, reproached biaiself for the stnuife 
infatuation be had snifered to take postesdon of his lenies, to believe her 
nnlkithfal. £Thea he reprobate^ la the most violent terms* tho coodact of 
LordB&ajBXMid, aad, forgettiag^e dii^arity of their rank, vowod the most 
signal, the most terrible vengesnco agalasl him. Time but added to, famtead of 
decreasing the agony of his thoaghts* nad when he arose to retara booM, ho 
was in a sute bordering apondlstractiea* 

In the meantime Bmaestlao was in a stale of mbsd far from eaviahle, after the 
circumstances we hsva recoatty related i aad a ot w i tbstandiag her and Godfrey 
had coasoto a escoacillstion, she coald readily peredvo that the sabject would 
not drop where it was, aad that it was but the foreraaaar to BMay sorrovH>, the 
aataro of which she coald aot eiacdy aa4erstand for the present. She felt 
deeply hurt that Q^ifrtj shoald so caadAy have suspected her tmth, andt 
yet she could not help admltiiag ^ kcrsalf, that tho singular sitnatloa la 
which ho had beheld Lord Raymoad was saflcleat to excite his jealousy. 
8he also considered that Lird Raymc mi had acted Imprudeatly, aad that his 
hobavioar was, certaialy, mors ardent Ihaa mere friendship should dictate i 
and aowi'for the first thae^ the recalled to her memory clrcumstaaces ia tKo 



THB R(MIP«b78 ^09N|II4lf«» 1S0 

b«haviov of Lsr4 Bajmoad ta««r4t h»r, whitlit altfcii^ |b»3F JMidMi •sclM 
any Mrprite at the tlma, bow iaiplred kar with a fi|all«f wWrli aao tad fe»r 
iuieh iBfatiiieaa. Sim datawiaad lii avtM iiii f w lanaa mmmA aaAa yaadMy 
CQiUd»aadluiaUaolbaa«fbr fiiag of offhailii jibmBrtaya mtHkn wwl Inriy 
Maigwaritaf aha waaid haw qaitiad tiia caiaa jamaiiaaily* Bat Ihaa, again, 
ahaa p hfayad htmlf fcr b l anrf ng tha Boaia at of hii l«rMMp,aailbrh«llevhif 
Mm ligahh ^Mmgtmymttgwnmg. Iflili loWMtfr hat MilhH a vatrion to 
hat-^-Ae waa eartain ikmt tha d llbr a a ca af their aiatlaiif In the world woald 
praielBde the y oa a th i i ty af hit ever paylBf hli addreMas to har, and to 
aatartaia aa idMi of dbhonour, the felt convinced he was perftcUy In- 
capable. Altogether fthe mach regretted thet the circumstance had taken 
placa^ and wat fearful that It would be the cause of mach nneaslaess to all 
parties. 

On retiring to her chamber at nigbt she dtd not feel inclioed to go to retti 
•he therefore took up a beokg and soon became absorbed la the interest of 
Its contents. She was suddenly, however, aroused, andsoaMwhf^t alarmed, by 
Imagining she heard the sound of a fbotstep outside the door. She listened, 
hat all was still ) aad thinking it had only been faacy, or prab^ly occasioned 
by the maaaicrlpt she was pemslagt which was a legaadary tala* of the moat 
Ur^jic descriptka, ebe once more began to read. She had aat, hawevar, 
. ptboaaded Ihr^ whan iha again heard the aaiae i and haiM|r eoafidaat that 
ilia waa not this time mistaken, she hastily araae from bar chafar, aad had ■• 
) saaaer done to, than bar ehambeiHlaar waa gawtiy opeaed, aad the tall fignra 

•f aasan, hia fisoa covered with a black mask, preaented Itself ta her terrified 
Ylaw. Be ao sooner beheld her, than mattering some Inarticalate words to 
hfmaelf, he shrank back, and closed tiia door again, and Bmnestlne conld 
hear Mm retreating along the gallery. 

HerrorstniCk i petrified to the spot, oar heroine conld not move, neither 
conld Ae give utterance to the least cry. All her fhculties seemed for the 
memeat to be suspended. Suddenly, however, she was aroused by hearing a 
piercing, shriek, which proceeded from the direction of the chamber in which 
Lady Marguerite slept. With a courage with which persons are sometimes 
Inspired ia moments such as these, Emaestine took np her lamp, aad hurried 
along tha galleiy towards Lady Marguerite*B chamber. 

Opce more as our heroine proceeded along the gallery^ a dismal shriek, iainter 
plan before, mounded in her ears, and then all became again silent as death. With 
unabated courage firnnestin^ bent her footsteps to the chambtr of Lady Mar- 
guerite, and her worst fears were confirmed, when she Caund the ebamber door 
wide open ; and on entering the room, she was strnck with horror when she 
perceived that it was vacated, that it was qolte evident, from the appearance of the 
bed, that the unfortnnate lady had never retired to rest. It was now clear thai the 
dies that had met the ears of Emnestine had proceeded from Lady Marguerite, 
and that she was home forcibly away from the castle by the man who had 
so ainch alarmed her but a few mjnntes before ; bat who he was, or how he had 
contrived to gain access to the bnilding, she was cempletely at a loss to conjecture, 



140 BmNNnTimB db laov; om, 

•Mi, la tei, 1VM, a* «Mi iMMBt, M IM gicift • MM #r tgitirtloii , to 



8he war •» e ai^ ln i lj bommnwlt by what bad taken piaee, tbac, for t 
fawlalMlety ate waailiilUNl totbaapot, andwaa aaaMeM aMve, orto glte 
BttaraMMaiba leaal^Mqri bat> at leftli, abe icfBaaiiil immeOlf Ibr bdp, 
•iidraabadwUilyi»tbacba»barbiiibiahLaiyC^laalluealt|i^Mkla>aarti^bar, 
InfofMi bar af tha i li a wma ii it wbiab ha4 labaa pbwe. Tba H a tr iela d M| wrii 

aeanaly baUavatbearUaMof her can. balifbMi Ihe,«llaa^baBaM€aMta^ 
thetreib/aba uttered a load soreaai of borrar, and bwame inatniibte. Tbt 
^<>"«<^ were now afooaed, and, with Lord Raynoad^ case to the apot ta 
aicertab what wat the caoae of the ahtfm. When made aof«latad wUb what 
had baiHwnedy a teeae cnaned whleh baSet all doMriptian. Lord Ra y andh— 
matfately ^oeatiooed aU the aenrauti narrowly ; bat they uMatpaaMvflydeebmd 
that they bad not leen any ttraager aboat the castle^ and eerttMy no one had 
glren blai ad ai l tta nce . Ho then bnaedhttely dispatched one party of tbeai to 
aeaich e?«ry part of the eattle , and the Taolta and aobterruMona 
■ndemeatbi ateeond, hi one direction of the forest,— wMIe be, with 
portion of blat?aaMla, took a dlBsrent ronte, be beinf detenafaied «a aoonrtfec 
ooontry bran dl m etfc mi , and an Immente reward wat oflbrei to any one who 
abMM ba immmm caengb ta gain any doe to Margoetf ta*t diaeofery» or the 
BHMi wsa MM nama nar away* wnHe tney were (onoi tbo ataaa or naiMMHan 
towblab LndyOiinHiiowaa fadneed» waa tmly dliiinwiui ta baholdt *a no 
aoonar laaaf ei a d fraaionoiit thanabe fen huo another, and ibr aame thaa^ the 
BMataerfoM apprehenalaaa ware entertained thatthe mnlt wonld prava-IMaL 
Onr h wni ii i attended npon her wiib the nimait earaand albctton, and H waa ta 
her that the waa hMMtad, prindpaUy, far her nWaMta rcoorary. fiobriafwaa 
thetlaw whiah SmneaHne bad been allowed to gase npon the man, who bad, 
donbUmt, come to her chamber in a mlttake, and be being alao mmkid, thai aba 
did not Ibink It at aU nkdy the shonld be aWe to recognite him ; and om^eetafe 
waa eshansled, hi vabi, to endearonr to find oat who the ?iUaln eaald paaribiy 
be who bad eommltted this oatrage. In vain had been the rmaa m b ei oT the 
persona hi the castle, and the taalts and passages nndemeatbt they eaald ace 
nothing of the ol]joeta of theb* search, althongb it wm very evMant the nsaa bad 
elected his escape that way, from the drenmstanoa of all the doors bafav 
opca, and they baviflg been kaowm to be all sccora on the evening belore. Bnt 
bow bad the amn b e ea ms aeqnnlni^ with the secret passag e ?— Bow bartplasd 
theaaaaaa ofaatastanfag tho door*, If them bad been no traaabary maoaf the 
domcattos ?-i*It Ad not aaam to be at aU ieaalble. TboaervaatawaK bto a«ria 
daaeiy emmslncd, bnt they ware not enabled to clldt anything amra than tbay 
had baisre daae, adibar by thraalB, peiaaaakms, or prnarfars of aawardi aad 
tbmi the paialal aBrir wmaiiiadhivolvadln tbaaMaSimpaaatrahlamiatafy. 

It aai Ma grtef aad aailety any be ntj raadHy c—ud aa d . la sria bo 
raebcd bis brdn ta ladaaimu to lmi«|bie lata tibose power Ma aaimaaaia 
alatcr bad fbllaa ; althoagh she had amy admirers-as might be cxpeetadyftam 




msjMiwaa^s wowimam^ U^ 



Mil Hid lUt Hals of wmfmm aad waofBmuimtft m^ wmm ^mtmimg Hm 
HMtaMuMfeof tbeplaec^r kn mnu m^fmMmmhmfhJt^mfmwmM fcavt 
Hip Irit ptwcr t» nmmhm^ MiwUkmi^Sim Vkpmm i«iay «f «ip4^' Im 
aiUM Ui iNQiiii «• m/A «■ poi^lkt «Bd mtOmHrnttd ill tkaft mt Ia Ui 
9iMrti«pfaMttteaH«i«li«flii»«ioilMib ls4liitte«tftaUtyiMWMky the 
iMtkaod iledlkiMta^ffiMwUiiit mMmm^iOm mtktiw mU k mmm tm Mm 

lMrlDtillMt«MteMpi» MMl, jUifBlliefj, ilw WM teMikl lemMft fMaUe 



Al Ike eeoMii leBcitimeai ef Lord ReysMid and Me aMillMff, aid wMi die 

JMriwel ]toftkirfi»JhMertiBiBoae»ted 10 ptoieeg>»i>>f •><>•<>■>»•<* 
• iNT iiMkB loafer, lA etder llMtf ihe adghl by ker afltellesile eooiMpgi, 

vMTia ifeiloliHi ioMfldflM wUeii tkoMoiifftaie dliOBMenMi^ eaddM 

iria^ai tlie tiae wMdi Iwdi idteaded hef dii^towr, gocidoDed Le^ OiiiiiHne. 

4Jtheiii Qodfref diecewly ij«»itliiiiil with toed Reyoad wad Me weHigy 

ia llMaMleBdM^ leee ttev hid laoea^y eeeadaedt IhopfQioafBdfMiiof £fa* 

aeillaa» eepodeUy after iriMi lie hid heeed teni Hal or itoGlea»Md OeaMBdtll^ 

loh h c T 'Ch l cft at laqr ha eapf)«ifdi ■Piaiieaid hhn the iMaieil aaearfiiMet it 

it thoa^ ihto hid ooaiffaad lo rendor hiai mif atleeeehiOf aad what 

retUl aMTo io, waa» Ihathe WM oeaMMlled to keep^hle lhea#dB ooadaed 

wUhoaihilBilag ayaa hhaeell a aiipiiy a of lehiiBMnitl I lawpifcle al 
Mi iiel tho a ght i a l ^a ih ho tried heed tedto le eo dftay eaeidad 
the BMiiaonaf KiaHOiHiitii ftie tho anamt- aa oMMh aaaoirihiaB aadMaMdaU 
Maieieaee heare hi the fofcii»hriadieg gkioadjy ayoa the pogaoatlialiaaiaf the 
*aN|lBiaa»aad the ejngator uhm i all oai uhlch O aae a d hadoMda aeaafoalheir 
iMifliMdiM* la Tiln ho^d imdMmnrnd In ■tHte the jrainei tf loahw thathad 
lahea poiiMilon of hii boeoai,iad he» e?ersr degr» beoaMaaMro Mhappf Ira'* 
aolleed hii aagaiah, aad ivell read Ui aioel eeqwi thanilhli, aad the 
ll eaaaedlier gwrtle heeeai wey be fOfyaall hat^aod^riH 

of cMtHy, ihae to ooatlaae lo eaeoania a eaqdelea af 







4Mft 'UUiiiMVM A ' n mbrj hBj 



■■mm vsos^Hi^TmBm v^ob v^wmivi «hp votmivv^hk pi^mhhhj ^v* wbhu 

«« Air!** M eidali[i«a» •§ Mi Met tittei awn* kit brtki, ««€iMiid» the 
r Ibtox Wef t llil^lie Ml tlinMeft im wiik feigeain»-*Ha lb 

▼hMM wBV oHV IDimB MH^vCmC ■wMJf MM WM9 nVw HMM MV^ Hi 

itM flotttf sttflcjr dMlgBy if fbt IhUI' mm tlMiiy AAm % ftoltai t# Ibv 
IMriontaftlrtttlsefWil. r«Dltlhtlf iM MtMik oTMi bdofti ] ai|ltt 

bmii hia and his lawleM oonpaoiona tnm Ibdr rclNal» or perishla lte«l- 

' WMi clittc wdiviy uM« MQftMiMti WNMNRMyniif wyttn^iD BMOallMrwpM 
flte MN9§cty nSMIijr ^oMed w6 4Mtwy ' flfed wMa iMr way -laMBMa ma'^aBCtaBt 
Mroiital Hidl of «« GUaf JaaManr. viIimi holMii ten tKiililiai ataoa Hm. trial 
— ttet Mbkmaa ticfing beeb<eoBiMd toMaktd fcr oatatid imhii aftar Ute 
cawfftinoa itMall bo ban ncaivod ntNB iko Vpa of BliplMi* I9 Uh bo aiado 
vaoww tbo laaylBoiMi mmh Imm )Mt cnaaad Mt aiMdy aav tboiaaaNilavMO had 
mnowi ■anrmg' nano vp Mi MiBa to oomoi -laaiiaor aa BMaaaMfoat lanMHny 
and fcqattied tfie aMtoaaiee ^ hb laadihi^ to daalroy that desperato paa$ 
wMcb had been io long dtetvor to the oaoaiyy* - ti ^ 

tti ^OhM JaatMary myiMiad Mi iiafflatii to do allJn Ua powoRtoatt 
■Lord i t t yaii i a d fti hii »nj ie t ,bi la aii b l w a n aa l n iril with^U 
Hm -talfaety cayaeMaf aftor aAaa 0taphaa had tototaMd hfaa off 
^aMeb'thk MwwTi'poiiaMed* Tb* thiii hawaocr Lotd IlajfBMlMl ^mM bai<i«iBe 
MeaMady aM it dM aol fv iha 'liaaiilnir feio detetayaalloB* 
toto. Ibiartdlitclr latin to oat their dirihaataaaosoaitioa* bam 
wNa VM atai^it iaei'a^r'*'iaat aeia^ ooaHaeaea ay aa* hm aMic ptaaoa^ ^f^f 
Miey aMMO iMaanv their Mteatnae) tna labhm woaid taiie a^ad oaaada attloe 



\ 



uady*CclaMlae areanled 'Whan oho boeaaw ao^aaiated aeih ibe 
laf ber a a u^l b b a a tw tth itoad iagiho aria ia i ila ad to beHofO^thai 
-of liot^ i laf a iaa d wewmot ai i eaaiai»eoa>aH #d4riKki 
taMefOf'VManadaa^hli gaaaythat'thoaHtebrada tiaiy 
yUad; aadltrawi aaiaiaa ■htly^ if hiaiaaiiihj laaily waa h^ thdtyawai^dhat 
they weald fiiH arltlwai tftaridaa thifa^eeniieaiMaon hetki I«oad<ilaiaiaad eeai* 
batted ibuiii aiiaaiiBU aa abJyaabo toaidi bat itiH heoaaid aatdeaytht ateaw 
artMa. Ii»«aaai| tomn aayiMi watfiifBtaMedathialataof taipaaeajnd 
"ta^Mify lawhtoh theywiPedaMiiad at yrcHBlf mmI aethiaav^oeaaa^atatlj^ aaaid 
bfaa »aaithi dttiiiahialliahahadoeai^tet Ja e«a« three daia all the 
wOfO aeaiylatedi' aav liefd BayaMira aad tha #aMeiaQPiai ahaat 
^ttHay thjJTderigai lato ttwendoai The taaiili and a^ahMra -o( berd. lay- 
iiW Bl ^ b b aataidaiihei paaanUJiBiiii^iha oatolathinaab Iha teetot 
trefoJoiaeilbytheeaaftheJaitWafyiathalariit. Thaytheapa** 
tholr>awqrby ebaultiai, bnl aatoifaeated iaatei» aaHl ahleaithithalellT 
tntrHi of acAlwynCaatleborstttpoo their flew. .i 



; 1 



1 



THJft BOBAEI^^S FOWJ^iWik 14$ 



CHAPTBR XV. 

'* These ancient haUt| of feudal gran'dear once the seat. 
Are now the haunt of lawless men, whose crimes 
Have made them aliens fhnn society." 



On the nif^i that the efeiil fvebara hMS descriMaf,*i*aad tfhicb ha4 CMtM 
somBdipaliiM* amdtif fn HMMMefMiUyorSu AMMlpfcr-took plMt» the 
banileiNM Lady MaiKoerlte had retired at an earlier boor thao VMal to ha» 
ehamber, not ttti ifae Ml iMMaed fcr i ept sa> 191, oa Hit oomnry, her 

ilov wMi 'MnnRV mm 



^pnmDOTv Willi "WfwwK^c ■■• vm^hh ^NvnvmB^Vf mm wvmi tsmwivb Bcr 
tfftdly oait far aodeiy. In «rta alK tMglitta bImIm them •ff, fer the Bi«f« alw 
flttdeafMivd lo da ao, tka ■MrtpowcrM dM they eaiBC, aad yai alM waa at a 
Idas to aoooaat far then, lor Mihena MaigMrtte'a days ha4 haea lioM af a»- 
raflad calm, aad sorrow was aakaowa to her, bat now a seosaHan had wt 
oter her m\mi, wMdi seraad la oMdM her traiy wi ak h ed y Ihn ianiriaaioa ktn 
friaad greater alreagili, thai aha was ahaol ta capeslcaca aovM heavy ailaftMiaBe^ 
wikSi it w«ald te ailerly laspoealUa iDr her t» at^. 

^ Attd fet,"* shf raoslnatad, <<aas<ely this Isailly; it la chiUisb waiteeaa, aad 
I'sbaahl aat eaea ara g e it What hava I la isar, wUia I pat a^r trail is^ tha 
B lB l i ad1^»lta,aBd do aotfriaf ta tiatala the hiwi nf flni rrmin T rnaariasl 
caan^have, foF wnh tli& woiM I have hlihcito hat Htlse aisocieiad^ aad i 
kaoir aai thai hehif ta ii h ees I faa fe ae t t iateaHoaaUy f jeea agwath 1 will aat 
lite tiaf -ea •■* fiiy t 1 adil aa aas e aiyaelf fraaa thia^ aiaie stf aaarawinnWto 
aialiaaas. I aaiai h eai ed ar m ra rtl l e s hes l iJ i laraMBiaaa m aaawayaeiii'* 
• ahetaahapaa aa dhal k§ ia<a iy aieiiasw l p i aha had faaad saaaa af th a e K 
dpamaeau mi the aaatla»aad u adaasee iai ta dtvart het 
tbaogbta that beset fi, la Iha-pcraMdaf Ml caateaai. lathbahai 
ihaa aOshf have heea hwaghwd, aad seaa haraeii letallf ahaorbed ta laadl^ the 
sittilaadMNMaiegeadilt stth«ad» l» thia asaasKriha Ihaa paaead aahaaded 
WmWf^ ewai»iNBeeipiiwagiBaaf awMBaaaeewjraaa^eaasiaaswaa ai^iMawap^t^we# 
■atf MMna^^aiM-aPM waHaaipaleag taa gaaccy apaa wMtii aar aBaMatr apaaMw 
•hrtM-ttitMyahvaMdt aad iiMaashaal na tbea the had aat a a eaa ed the laaa^ 
§9mt Hhe aiaae iNr^halpiryaaear bat heAMa she aeahl iceab ii| H waa apeaei^ 
iaii ibher aatrdBM teaaHrt aasaa wMa bit telaeia i^ rtli aaaaaaMbyaMacb 
laasVy aaw wimot ^m^iv wiw^^»^^^ »»»^ n ^^p 
to her Ughi. IfargaaHla wae«a aaaaBaaMhy her 
awfa or to alter i hu l aas i aeaad, aad thaa haagf i ' ad i ws ri af toaarda hari thtaw 
Ma anae aiaa ad hey» aad4a a b aa a nd eo l aa u i iaae^.i<Malaied :«n» 

'•Slleaoe, laslden, aa thy ttfit thaa aiaal with aie; reaiatanoe ia la taia* 
ia#tlia leart'eaMiy aiaylFtltf diMraaiya iMi ilWil^ Md ihtae Moal deer 
to tbae. 1 bare pleaiy at haad^ wbo^ at the laaal ii|a«l» wfIU iy ^ ny eld. 
yhaatfttaiaa! Csaaer . 

laepkeaf the thwa ta af tha awa^ AJa ti Miil f 4 WI .lewM aloodt jm the eaaa 
ndacd her bi bla aaw Md bete her k^m ibat^pitMBt^aatiifi kaitb, coai^ 
pleidyeibaBstedbybcratraB^andhcrfcpM%liyb<PHi» iBi < n ritd t . 



144 BENiiBmia os lact; ob, 

WImb she leoofucd, sIm IboDd hevtrif abae, laid wfon ao clgjaiit tnmh, md 
U a haadsonclf ftinililied apaitmeDt. AQgblwasbaraiiigOBtetallet aadall 
ammid her wai at lUeat as death. She RBied aiMsd her with aaawent, and 
then her rcooUection retomiDC, and reaiemberiDg the manner In whleh^she had 
bees aeiacdyshe became verj much alarmed, and rislaf from the conch, hastened 
to the door and thecasements, which she tried, bntfiMmd them secnre. She neat 
sercaaMd alood, bat the dismal echo of her own ?olce was the only answer she 
recelfed, and she wrong her hands in frantic despair 1— ^ > 

'• Holy Vhri^ r she eadalmed, << where am I, and whafc will faeooma of me ?— 
Oh, help! help 1" 

JHH no answOT did she reoel?e» and once more she scmtlnlied the room 
narrowly, to see If she had any recollection of the plaoe> bat she had none 
whatever, althoogh she was oooftdent that she was not In the Oastle of St» 
Aswolph, and that wheterer she was, she was In the power of the villain who 
had borne her away, for what parpose she was aft a kMS to ooncdv^ or who 
and what he was. 

The apartasent, as we have before stated, waa very handsomely fomlihedt 
and everything anmnd seemed to denote the magnlftoence of the bnUdlaf to 
which it betonged. It was hnng around with richly embroidered artas« and 
vaaes of flowers, whieh dlled the room with a deMghtfid fn^nuwe, rated on 
richly earved ttamilngt In each eorfter. The hangings of the bed were la ootre- 
sponding taste, and appeared to be almost new, and as If titled «p expressly for 
her muiitlon- B fe iithl wr she beheld, illsd Manaoriia with aalonlslMMBl. let 
her fears were equal to It, and Urn mystery in which the whale aJhlr was In* 

oiwi wns atoost I wn pp s r m b lB. On one aido «f Iha room, was • ladniing of 
ha V1s|rin> befoee whish Mnig n si ii ij immsdiataly prostmiad harseif » and lfl»> 

ftnm any of the smms and dingaw by whkh aho man 
She then aroae> eonsiwhal mora oaanpoaad, and o»* 
deatoorsd toasvaliwitfi paUeMe th» reanUof Hds amWgmws aiOr. 

DayhmhMiing to feep, she asthiffdshod the M gh ftj a nd aeaiii^ h a w sl f at th<s 
tMa* mid laaalna bar head noon 'her haml. nan wav la the dlsasal thoMlila 

I, lo dinovor who the 
be Ui designs In so deteg. in this 
whan Margnerite was startled by hearing some one nnlochhig the room danib 
and the nel m ama ul Hwne ihmww baiir on Us Ungai^ nnd iha laM ignra 
of gimnemgd b eis t o l m i. ImmeiUieiy «pmi bohoidtaf hfo iMMBsa» (for te 

•<0h,0od! nil possible?— Ami then in the 

**Oimondt the lob be i ei hrf/ 8 aided Ihe mnn» l^mmiid wfoa» and 
t es po Bi iBHy. 

iwi eoonermn vne mssMeioa aaamei aaar mso 
her hands, aad groaned wHh hnaroiv 

*< Mqr, fody," oM Oema u d, ap p a aa ifchig her, '< 1 yilihaa #ia nal wapia rnt^ 
a fli Biia rj grief; Osamndla-aoihatfaa tstriblaas the voloaaf m la ma j hadi iw> 
ported him. To the ftdr ses he can behava wMr gsaioBesa aad lava» 
especially to 0ie foir Lady MmgaetUe.* 




w 



n» KOBBBB*! FOUiniLIHO. 



« UiricM awi." cfKrtMel U*i|a*fbe, " for wbu p«riMM ban Iboi ton 
mt from nr Mnte r— Wlir ud I kraogki hlthr ?*■ 

•• In ibe am place, heuteoM mUm," repUtd OnMwt, " I wm pianptcd 
br tore; naiTi **"( not, I rqMM Ibu tbjr ntiaemi cbaiai htTB Iiurtool mc 
wHk R purioii M ifwa) u cnr flowed wliktii the fauMD breut. Bat feu om ; 
ttMfb 1 but Owe Mcsrel; In nf pmrar, Hd mHUh coeM pnrcBt ae bvD 
•bttintsf tbe fraiiSciitim of ar "bbs, bne. Ikm •ball be u wfc m U than 
iKit wltUe (be prowl mdli of M. Atwolpta. Udr, thhik not, thM iMdi^ 
OHMMd hM> been dri*en b^ MblbRaBe and MactefT. M Ibe IrnkMceWMaT 
We wtaM be aow pwMm, that be pcaMetci a bean ln«eB«lble to Ming, ar lb* 
■aiw leairr piMlam; *ere«ai a Haw wban — bat m MMer, bow, h !■■■■• 
dat ttat 1 km ibee, aad hope to be ■■■WeJ to latplR thee wkb radpneal a»- 

A deadlT ricfcacN MM ofer M«i|Dci*le ai (be IMeaed to the boUaeM or iha 
wbb at 'i worti, awllt wai tefendMceadi belWe ibe me evttdeedr l |iy iil 
» retam aa; aoiweri bM at hafib, taraint apos OaMond a laek or Raalle »• 



"Ob, O iM aad, If aetboBwjl tbna waH-oaM noUe, oaee lailiica*, Ibea 
aritt pftf me, aad leatore bc to nr friend*, and belt eviiice jroer ertrcai ttt aM 
brMleHtrdeti«tthi(aeaBaiaelM)r«FUI. For eaeb •■ ad I alshl oat orir be 
paicM, bat leacB to ijrBptttfalu whb Ihj MtefertaMe." 

•• BeMtm tbee to ihr friexb I" rdtenMI tte labber-eUef i " ah, ae, ae, 
■a, Mr, Oat eBMt aeferbet OeMwd wUl aot ml|B the gloi 
ofiMiaiewbhA taww dbnlcd hta." 

ma. 19 



146 sBKNnmni b» laot; os^ 

*< Revenge!'* cried Margverite, wllh » look of tenor; «< agttot wboa?" 

** I1iy fbrotber, lady ; the pro«d Lord lUf laood St. Aawolph, wbom I btte 
sach'aiiiple! cause to detest^ to deapiae 1" 

«* ImpoaBlUe ! my dear bfotfaer coald aefir hate iojored thee !" 

" Never iojured me, fair daiaael l-Ofa, he iMth been the bitterest foe I hava 
ever known ; from him have I to date my nUn—aU my misery— the many bitter 
pangs I have for yeara endured— the corse of Uighted hopes, ruined fortune^ 
name, and high estate I" 

*< Blessed Virglii!" ejaculated the alarmed MargMrite; << this can never beg 
my brother so kind, so amiablct so noUi, so geaeroos ;— U is same base fiibrica- 
tion, or thon labomtst under somo strange and palnfial ddasUNk" 
fHf* Nay» lady» it Is as 1 hare* told thee; and so will Lord Raymond discover era 
loag* It is wdl lor him that his BieaM>ry is so shallow ; or that he can m 
easily bary in oblivion the deeds of other days ;— but it ivlll be my task, and tht 
day Is not ter distant, to reoslod him of his vioas and demand retribotion.*' 

" Robber," eautelmed Margaerite» proudly, <* my biotbar may defy tby weak 
threats, and treat Aem only as th^ merit, with soorn and utter contempt. 
B«t rest asturedpie wQl ifiscovcr la whoso power I am dettdned, and have ample 
veageance for this outrage.** 

Osmond smiled soomfaUy, and after a short pause, said,— 

** tady» tbcw Itnowest not the power of Osmaari, or thoa woaldst not talk 
thus t bat It is wselrss to baai^ woadH with thee npon the solifect. Time will 
show. Thott wilt do well to consider what I haoa told thee, and endeavour to 
view me with other scutlnsents than those of hatned and disgust Rest assured, 
however, that here thou shalt suffer ao insult ; Osmond will protect thee from 
It, and treat thee with that profound respect thy sex, and tbe deep interest thou 
hast inspired him with, prompt. Every enjoyment but that of liberty shall bo 
thine here. Thnu wilt, therefore, act wisely by well considering what I have 
said to thee ; and by endeavouriag to act iu accordance with my wishes. Do 
this, and 1 solemnly declare that I will forgive thy brother all the injuries be 
hath done to me; and blot oat from the tablet. o^ my memory the sorrows and 
degradations 1 have experienced irom hlnpu 1 will now le^ve thee/ lady, and 
give thee full time to prepare thine answer. FareweU !" 

Thus saying, Osmond kissed his hand, cespectfuUli. to La^y Marguerite, and 
quitted her presence. 

Left to herself. Lady Marguerite give herself up entirely to tbe most pahiffi] 
refleetion, whkb her critical sitoatioa.fullty. justified, and paced the chamber 
with hurried and uneven footsteps. Now her thoughts wandered to St. Aswolph, 
and tbe bitter agony and suspense her mother and Lord Raymond would Ite in at 
her mysterious disappearance, and the uncertainty U to her fate; then she 
would reflect with tbe most unbounded astoniahmrnt nppA the mysterious obser- 
vation which Osmond had omda use o^ and in v&iu epdeavoured to elucidate 
them. By what means her brother bad ever offended the robber-cbief, so .a» 
to excite his revenge to each an implacable degree^ she was at a loss to imaglaei 
and by what strange circumstance he had becoaie eonoeclod «wHh him, waa 
equally mysterious to her. She was one moment dispoaed to place no confidence 
in it, and to believe it to be BMrely a fsbrieatioB of Oimond'Si but tb«n the total 



absence of aoy moiife for tacb en ipr^ntioa oceuned to her, aod agpun caused 
ber mind to waver. She bad ai«ra|t looked opoa Lord Rajmoad at a being of a 
foperior order^ and one totally incapable of harming by word, tbongbl, or deed. 
Ma fellow-creatnrea ; coote<|iieBtiy, in what manner be could by any possibility 
have given Osmond caose for the deadly hatred lie confessed towards him, she 
was at a lees to conceive* Then, tlie melancholy which had beset the mlad of 
her breHier for so long a tim^ iind» lo fact^ althongh not now so powerfol aait 
was, had become settled npon him, darted upon her reooUectioo, and ^edhar 
boiom with strange doublBy ideas, and apprebensioBS. The impeaetnble mystery 
which her brother had ever maintained upon tiiat sat)|ect, and the angnish and 
impatience which he ever ei^nced when qnestionQd conoetning it, all came viviijij 
te her recoUeetlon, and involved bee still Idctlier in fruitless and conflicting coa- 
jeetores, aod she feared tliat the bwhuis woold not terminate witbont con- 
siderable Iroable to them alL 

Bat* how bntease was ber agony, bow powerfal ber fears, when she thought 
apon the sitoatioB she wm plaeed in ; the prisoner of Osmond, the Avenger, the 
desperate robber-cbleft whose very name insured urror la the bosoms of those 
who heard U^ sucroanded kf wretches to wbomcvery species of crime was familiar 
and insnlted by the loathsome passion of Osmond, who bad so boldly and openly 
avowed his seo toea ts towaids her, and proclaimed his intentieiia,-i-lolentioas 
whicb she knew fall well he woald not fail to carry bilo eiiBCt» anieas somttbing 
sbonld oocnr to vescae her from his power, for of what avail wonld be any resistance 
she might offer to his vlUany? Herdestiaction soeaied tobeiaevliafale; and yejt 
there was sometblag so nobia and geoeroas la the dei^bioar of Osmond at times* 
which led ber, in spite of his threats, to hope that be wonld relent, and perhaps 
abandon his cvU designs alt<yfbert aad, yielding to her teats and entreaties, re- 
store her to her friends. 

She was interrupted in these seflectiont by the sweet aad plaintive voice of a fe. 
atale singing a song, in lones of the most bewitching aMlody> and whicb completely 
rivettcd ber attention, and fzdted her wanaest admiratioa» The voice seeased to 
proceed from an apartmtat immediately oontigBoas to the ooe she occupied, and 
die listened with iatenaa iateieat to the words of the ballad, iriiich were simple, 
bat possessing all the charmaof poetri* 

** Thank Heafco I" ^facalated blargoedte, when the female had ceased,— 
*' thank Heaven, there Is aaotber of my own sex near me. Oh, If she is as gentle 
in her nature as the delicacy of her tones wonld aagnr her to be, what coo- 
aolatioB woald it aflocd me, If she watt pcnritled to be my com pan i on. Sioold 
she possess a heart of sya^iati^, a^ sitoatioo woald be lightened of half its 
terrors.** 

She had scarcely gtveo otteraace lo these words, when she was startled by hear- 
iag aaaiaeatthawainacat on oaeaideof Ummoos, aad directiiig ber eyes thai 
amy, she was tbaadeistrack i^ beholding the aoas alowly raised, a pannel in the 
wainsQot had been slid back, and In an loatanttbe gracefal fiitm oCa young woman 
of a gentle and beaateoas countenance, stepped tightlj into the apartm e nt, and 
advaocod towaads her. 

** Fair Lady," said the youag woman* In accents af sweetniis, <' be not sur- 
intodat seeiatme; Ihaae one toatk yoa whether youfieel disposed to take 



148 BXKIIMTINB DB LACT; Om, 

your moralng't repMl BOWy aMl.l am deputed to be yoor eompinloiiy wliil^ yoa re- 
main here, If jfov think bm worthy of thai honoor.** 

** A teaale here !" remarked Marguerite^ oondnalng to gaze with the moit un- 
frifned attonlahment upon the speaker^ *' so hbr, and apparentty, lo amIaUe too* 
Sareiyt thou art aooM poor snfnrtmMtey like myatlfy detiined here againn thy 
wUl?'' 

«< Aki I lady/'repUed the lemale, with ailgb,««H is notso ; I ama wttfin^ fn* 
male of these walls; my hnsband Is one of the gang." 

** ImpQesiblel" esdafaned Marcnerlte ; *' one like then art can neter have so 
dfgndcd herself as to becooM the voluntary aisodate of robberi— of lavrtess men, 
whose crimes hate rendered them a terror to their coantry.** 
' ** Than wrongest Osmond and his gang» Mj," retamed the other, ** they are 
nothalfso ieroe» so cntdas they are by uaay represented to be. Ask their ctaa* 
raeiera of the hwnble and the distressed, and ^ wm tell thee, that— bat, no nut- 
ter; we will drop this snijeet lor the present. Say, lady, shall 1 bring thee re- 
freshment, or Is there anything partlcnlir that yon desire I** 

Margnerite answered in the negallfc ; bat feefingfldnt, she assented to partakef 
slightly of some refreshment The female then left her by the same mesne she 
had entered, closing the secret pannel after her. 

Marguerite was so surprised at what had taken phne, that for a minute or two 
Ae wM ttuttoed to the spot, ud c«»M Marcd, bdlere AM what h«i ta« 
place was real ; but at length, reoovering herself, she hastened to the secret pannd, 
and endearoured to ftnd^iit the way to open It, but without succeeding ; the 
spring was on the other ^Ib, by touching or pressing upon which done it could 
be opened. 

She left It with disappointment, and awdted the return of the female with 
some Impatieooe. She was not kept In this manner long, for pruMUtly the 
secret pannd was dgdn slid back, and the otjeet of her thoughts agdn re- 
appeared, bringing In refreshments with her, which she spread upon the table, 
and then fairited Margnerite to partdw. 

The viands were of the most delicate description, and Marguerite dU sUghliy 
taste of them, while the female took a seat at the further end of the table, and 
seeoMd to riew her frith looks of warm admiration and compasston. 

** Fdr lady," at length she said, " thou didst not answer me before,— say, wilt 
thou accept of my humble serrices as a companion, while thou art an inmate of 
tUs old castle i" 

** Oh I gladly," repfied Lady Marguerite ; ** but, Heafen send that my stay 
here may be short. Alas ' the anguish my friends must endure at my mysterious 
disappearance, racks my brdn to distraction." 

<M am sorry for thee, lady," answered the female, ** and fidn would assist 
thee, were It In my power ; but, rest assured, that howerer strong may be tUae 
apprefaensioos, thou wilt be treated with the most profound respect while dio« 
art here. Death would be eertdn to be the portion of any one who shodd dare 
to offer thee the dightest insnh." 

•* Strange inoonsistendes !" sjaculated Marguerite, *< but das I how Utile cause 
have I to hope that It will be as thou sayest, after the open avowd which tiie 
robber«chief hath made to me. But say,who art thou, and iriiat is thy name?" 



rum BOBBBB^S FOUBTDItlKO. 149 

.<* I luile •Irewif to fac ew ^ Ihae, laiy,** «M fhe y^oBf woMM,«««ttI »» 
robber^t bride; I an the wUIb of Ulrie» aMi ny mum b Btacbe." 

"A«dwhaloo«klef«r baie iadMedthee to llHk HiytfilttooaeofllMeliw 
lea and denenile Boa?" 

<<Ali! UMty,** replied BlandNtU^a deep Mgbwaped her bami I «Uinite«^ 
ny.liMe to thai of Ulrle, beoaose I toved Mm; aiMl»at the thDe that ldidfo» 
vhrtw and Inlairl^ stamped hit charaelar.*' 

** Hum loterestest me/' laid MargMiitet who, for awhile, ftwgot her own 
lorroiri, and pablhl titaattoiii In the ci c i l em eu i occai k med by the wordf of the 
robher't bride ; " what coald hate dritea him to this haiardoat aaddegnkBag 
cooneoflife?'* 

''Tyianaj and oppressloa; misfertums mder which sooie persons woald 

** Meed ! aod thou Mil aocompaay him to lUs phve, and resolfed to share 
with him in his mirfsrtaaes ?" 

''Lady," replied Bbmehe, with a iook of snrprlse, «*woahtsl thon that I 
shonid have daseried my Imsband* he whom al the idtar I had fowed to lore, 
aad who had been eo kind and allentife to me ? wonldil thon, 1 repeal^ have 
had me desert liim in his adtersity ?— Oli, no, no, we have shared each otiier's 
happfaMss; each other's aflhetions ; and wlmterer may be the consequences, I will 
be the partaker of his misfortones." 

'« NoUe, herole, devoted woman !" cried Lady Margnerito, idlh admiration ; 
''the sentlBMnis than hast expressed, fill my breast with the warmest esteem to- 
wards thee; and adds to the deep regret I fael that dther thon or tUne hosband 
shonld be placed in a sicoation which dally exposes ye to the retrlbntive hands of 
thelaw. I am convinced tlion art of no plebeiaa race; both thy langnife and 
manners sitow tliat tlion hast fsrmeriy moved in no mean rank of sodety." 

Blanche again righed, and a tear glistened In her eye. 

" Thon Jndgest rightly, Udy," she replied, " I once moved among the gayesi 
of the childrea of rank and splendonr; had every loxnry and enjoyment tbal 
wealth conld pnrchase, a nd bnt it is past now;— It is like a dream to me ;— > 
and let me endeavour to bnry the remembrance of H for ever in obHvion." 

" Pardon me, Blanche,** observed Margnerito, affectionately taking her hand, 
and looking In her conntenance idth an expression of the deepest sympathy ;— 
" 1 wonld not appear Impertlnenlly inquisitive, neither would I wish to revive 
the sorrows thai have apparently so deeply afflicted thee ; bnt I caiinot conquer 
the interest thy words hath excited, and if thon thinkest me worthy of bdng 
entrosled with thine Ustory, believe me thou shall receive from me all the com- 
mlsseration and consolaHoo It may be In my power to impart.** 

Bbmche paused, and looked earnestly in the countenance of Lady Marguerite, 
and after wiping away the tears that the reminiscences of her sorrows had excited, 
she said:—* 

"Thon dost possem a gentle heart, lady, and 1 am certain of the motive by 
which thou art stimulated ;— I— I— will oonftde in thee.'* 

Lady Margnerito drew her chair closer to Blanche, and after a short lime had 
ehMMied, during which slie was endeavouring to compose her fe^ogs for the task, 
tte latter commenced as fiollows ^— 



110 bbnnsstin:k im juacy; or^ 

** My father. Sir WlUoogbby de Mor^mer, waa one of the bravetl knlghla tbe 
Bf itUh army could boaat of » lad was much cataemcd for hii many ii«bk aad 
firliioiM %Mlltkf • He bad largt citatei, mi portiMlarly a Am old Gothic 
castle, in a part of the country there is no occasion for me lo iMiiliMu Of mcf 
iDOthcE»I fe|ni«o«ldBOti^raBylkte(,«or,«lait--h0t,M>Mttter$aQlBeeltiosay 
that the outfrlage between her and my tsther was an vniorlmate one. I was thdr 
only offspring, and when I was not more tiian twelre years of age, my mother 
Abandoned her husband and me, and eloped with another man whom Sir Wil- 
longhby had Imagined was his friend, and we heard no more of them. This me- 
lancholy event my father took so mocb to heart, that he never recorered from the 
efli^ts of it J he shut himself and me almost entirely up in his castle; we saw 
DO company ; seldom walked further than the grounds that extended around the 
cattle; and* in fac% be became^ I might almost venture to «ay» a perCea misaa- 
tbrope ; so that thus early in life did my troubles beghi« But ise aooo fiamiUariacd 
me to nils melaacholyooorie«f life, anil eovied BOtthepUaaafeiof thaworid; 
my chief Ml|^ was in eadeavoariaf to soften the severity of my poor father's 
aagnlsh; and if I could but win a smBe from him, oh, what happiness was mine ! 
—Then I would sing to him, and those were the only moments when his mhid 
teemed to be transitorily diverted fh>m the bitter sorrows that oppressed it ; and 
he would kiss my lips, and look into my foce with such fondness, that X shall 
never foigeu 

'Vlte pilrtwqrri usually known to young persons of my owu age, were at 
at that tbnc aol esperienced by me ; bat yet with it aU» could 1 but soothe the 
•anowa of mv father. 1 feU a h^pplneas Ur beyoad that which worldly aad 
evanescent pieasarai can snpptr* 

" The only persons who visited ns was the Bari Harliagwood and hb son, 
Alfred, who was several years oMerthannqrself. Lord Haiilagwood was a noble* 
man, whom, I most say, 1 never could thoroughly like, Ibr there was oomethiDg 
peculiarly haughty and stern In his behaviour ; but between him and my father 
there subsisted tbe greatest friendship ; and. Indeed, to such an extent that he had 
entrusted him with the arrangement of most of his affairs, and had appointed him 
my gnardiao* in ca«e that he should die. tady Harlingwood )iad been an 
inisaUd lot aav eral yeaxii and was uaable to leave her chamber. Lord Harlingwood 
iMiayooaf man^f the moit amisble qualities ; and of prepossessing person and 
Bwaneia. He had arev sliewn bm the most marked attention* and it wm soon 
evident that he had imbibed an ardent paaakm for me, and I moat ackaowMge 
that my heart beat retpoasive to hb aentimoots ; we coafessrd oar kwo for each 
other, and anticipated every happiness la oar passion, for we never for a moaieat 
imagined that our parents would object to our nuptials, bat, on the contrary, 
that an alliance between the two fonilies would afford thrm the utmost saiis- 
foctlon ; we, therefore,*never thought of acknowledging to them our sentiments, 
at least, not for the present, believing that they must discover it by oor oianuera ; 
moreover, 1 advised Alfred not to press his suit, at present, to my father,Ueatinf 



THE RdtkE&'s YOUNBLING* 151 

that he might Imagine I was thrcd of the solitary Uft I was leading, and wished 
to leave him to himself. 

''Time passed od, and at length the melaocholf hour approached, when I was 
iated to become an orphan ; the heaty affliction my poor fiather had ezperienced» 
bad so preyed upoa hu mind, that bts oonstitDtion entirely snnlc t)eneath it, and 
lie was at len|^ so reduced, that he was unable to leavelhis conch. Need I say, 
with what tender anjdety I watched by his pillow, and tended to his wants ; but 
what racked me more than all ;wai, that for seteral hours before bis death, he 
was In a state of mental aberratiott and unconsdons of my attentions or my pre- 
aence. Bot a miante before be breathed his last, hit senses returned ;— he took my 
hand, preswd upon it bte dying klas, and sotemnly brtathlag a benediction upon 
my head, resigned bis soul into the hands of his Maker. 

** It would be completdy superfluous In me to attempt to describe my feelings 
upon this melancholy occasion ; thy gentle breast, fair lady, most be folly snscep* 
tlUe to them $ I hun^ Ofer the 4kpte of my poor father, and It was with tiie 
greatest difflcolty the Earl Harlingwood (for he was present) could induce me 
to lea?e the room and retire to my own chamber, where he sent to me my 
waitlog-woman, and vndeitook the arrangements for the ftmeral obsequies. He 
tried to prevail upon me to retire to his castle uatil alter the dismal ceremony was 
over; bot nothing couM persuade me to Icnve that plaee In wtkh with my father 
I had passed so many yean of coosparalive sednston, and which now contained 
Ibis cold remains. In this hoar of trial, my lover did alllthal he could to soothe my 
anguish, and at length h1l%iigaments had the effect of ameliorating my sorrow, and 
eeabM me to attend to see the body of my fhther condgned to the tomb of Ids 



*' When the mournful ceremony was ov<Mr, I retired to Harlingwood Castle, 
under the protection of the earl. Here I mi^t say there was very little change hi 
my condltioB, for my time was principally passed In the tick chamber of the 
covntesa, who received my attentions witb the most unbounded gratitude, and 
many were the thanks she l>e8towed upon me. She was a most amiable woman, 
aad bore her suAMags with the patlenea« and resignation of an angel. Unfortu- 
nate lady, my heart could fully sympathise with her; Itttle had she known of hap- 
piacas doringtfae hitter years of her Ufe, behig seldom free (torn pain, and entlrdy 
deprived of the means of enjoying those hnrarles and pleasures, whkh her rant 
and station woukl have granted her the means of doing. But not long dMsbe 
need my care ; for some time past, her illness had daily increased, and It was 
very evident that she was fast approaching eternity. Two months only had elapsed 
after my becoming an fatmate of Harlingwood Gastle, wlien she was released from 
her earthly sniRerings. 

''Lord Alfred, who was doatingly fond of his mother, was altnoat inconsolable 
for her loss, bot I could not help remariting that his fMber appeared to be bot very 
IHtie moved by the circumstance. This event. If possible drew my affections and 



152 BBNNBSTINB DB xAOT ; OB, 

tkne of Lord AUM, nore doidy logellMr; we bad boih of ut lottibftrenl 
whom we bad fondly^ored, and we were, thcrelbre» dBilarly titualed. " 

'* My fluber, it; appeared bad left tbe carl the sole gaardlaa of mytdf and 
propertyyandbebadleft my fotoie aettkaMnt entirely to bit dbaelioDyiakiDf ail 



completely out of my bandt, ontil I sbovld become a wife. When the 
earl made me acqaaintod with theie dreonilaocfli, 1 most oonfem that 1 felt the 
greatest torprite, and ooald scarcely crc«Bt wbatlbad beard. It was coached in 
what I might term lerere and despotic lingws|tij and pteced npon me restrictions 
which were so onlllce such as the affectionate nabne of my fMher» I tbooght , wonld 
hafc dictated, that U seemcdpmposslble they conld have em anated from bkn. Not 
only had be left the earl my sole goanUan, bal be had also ordered that I sbdnU 
marry only the man whom he might think worthy of me, and that I sboiMellbcf 
Mbmit to that, or be compelled to enter a nanncry for life, and the propMy at 
present entrusted to his care, hi that event, witb the exception of a bandsomaba- 
Soesttothe holy boose of which I might beeo^l an innate, sbooMbecometbat of 
Jilm and his bdrs tor ever. 

''I looked at the earl with the aM»t breathless astoaisbment, when bemade 
me acqmOnlad with this, and I noticed a singnbtf expression In Ids coonl^Banceb 
«rbanlbebebeU my searcUng glances^ wUch gave rise to apainful suspicion bi my 
bpraastyandintfiasad.tbr^slikawhkbl bad ever eateftaliiad.towatds him. Bitter 
was the anguish f felt, and many were the tears I shed, when 1 was alone. A 
draadliil thoaght took poasessioo of my mind, and aotblng could erase it I 
suspected the earl of treachery, and Armly believed tlin the docunent called my 
fttbar's will was a foigery. I ooasidcred it was absohttdy impoasible that my 
fetber could have left such tyrannical Instmctions respecting one, of whom be bad 
been so doatlngly fond, and whose whole stady bad beento allevhuebisaoaows 
and to caU forth the bright ionsbhM of >oy in bis heart. Ibb klea bavb« takea 
possession of my mind I pbdn^saw that I was aMritcd out to betbecbikle^wr- 
row, and regretted that the saaw^ on which my folber bfiMhed bk laatt bad 
not also closed aqr amtal earner. 

^'LoidAUMwas also as much astoniabed at the dicumaipoe as myseV;, and 
altboagh he dbi not esprem the same to me, I could plalaty perceive that bs was 
likewise of a simibu', if not the smneopiahm, as regarded the noo-geauinanesi of 
tbewilL He» however, endeavoured tocoasoiena by ghrbig it as bis opinion that 
bis fotber wDukI never cieiciie» to iu (all eitiBt,tbaarbitrary power that bad tbas 
been entmsted to bbn, and thai be ivaubi aol think of Massing my aflbc4i 
tsben be found they were pteoed upon one deserving of ase ; on the eontiary 
besaM, thai be was of opinion that be wmrid bapie«ad when be learned thai be 
(Ijord AKced) was the oljeoi of my choice, as U wouU aeoampllsh aU that 
was ofdciadhitbewiUof arWUiougbby. 

<«I sighed, and shook my bsad; aad be could plabriy perceive tbatlpbwed 
little or no conftdence hi bis assertions, which were, I was eoaviaeed, far from 
liefaig bisaetaal opinions. 



'» 



** 



rHE BOBBBB^B FODNDI.ING. 



" ' Bat, nj dMTCit Bliodie/ he e<ttit!Diwd, M tbc SMtter mt Ibt ■ ibort 
dHarUdtliMlartllcoDfeiioiirlowioiDy fubcr, aadMkUiiMTBttoaBrBiiloD. 
Tbrt wlB It oMc dcdde ihc hnilneu, ud ut all our ptfafBI donbu mnI innidict 
Hmti iBhwih I do dot think Ibit ttc atti be andir ae j ippttlMBabiB h to the 

fMih.' 

*' ' Bcatcii Mad that tb; IdvM maj he rMlhed, dnr Alfred,' I replied, bat mj 
bofct eflMCd bow mall km the bope 1 eDiertaliwd that itieh iraald be ibe cm*. 

•* fa tMi nanner three OMmlhi pwaed ■w*j>, and the earl beband with gnM 
ktadnaa ta He ; but atfU there waa at tfmea, a pecnilailt; to fab Banner* wblA 
tef«rted to Bj Bind a aenntian apptottAtng to terror and dUgnit. Lord AUnd 
sow tblnkiaB he bad mlted qohe k»g enot^, lad aelldtq Mr iiacailnB 
aspewcAMnalned atonee toaeek an inlenlew wtlbhlaMber, andachnoir-, 
hdgetittMaannta with whtdi oorbeartt were luplred. He dU ao, aodioT 
wef«t aarMiMi wm condrnMd. Th« earl had acatoHT palieMe tJ hew Mm ««, 
w^ iffaf la1« a Rxat ragct coHaMUKM hhn, on pain of hla djaplwwwre, never 
MtM K MMtioB inch a nbM to Ma, *ed to banith ae fron Ua ttMgUi, 
tor I oner eo«M be Ua brMe. 1 eaanai do jnatfce w the eoMtloB* of ny lover ob 
ikat oqcaalaat ia f^ b« rcnHMatrMad wlih> aad lapirikaltrf Ua (Uber; tbe 
rife of the latter wai obIt the mora tocreaied. He bade Mn qalt Ui latveace, 
tmtmt^mtum to faataro to eaier It aolU he bad learned obctfeaoe to hta wlU. 

"laoweoBaie oaaoribeBioai trjrlnBereniaof aarlife. 

^« » 



154 SBNNSATINJi PB LAOY; Omp 

** Lord AUndf^Hn tbi» ti im w m t fn^w hit father, roHred from the catHi^ and 
haying sought an early opportunity of gaining an interview wHh me, he repnigd 
a hnndred timet hit attevenulont of unalterable ailectioo, and attorcd me that 
nothing while he had life theuid ever induce him to banith me from the peift- 
mount tituation I had obtained in hit heart ; he alto lolldted from me a 
promise to the tame effect, which, 1 need not tay, I gate mott oordially, al the 
same time I expressed my regret thai be ihould ritic the ditpteatart of bis 
father, bf oppotfog hit withes. 

" * Let not that idea troaUe thee, my dearest Blanche/ he obserTed ; * when 
parents exerdse an nnjost authority they cannot expaet obedience. 1 tniat that I 
have ever done my daty towards my fiMher, and so am I ttill prepared to do $ b«t 
1 do not tee bow be can reasonably attempt to bias my w Isbea, when the o^eet of 
my affections is every way so woitby of me, and such as even an emperor ooght lo 
feel proud to possess. Nay, more, I am determined, although by so doing 1 should 
gala his etamal olspleasmre, that nothing shall ever prevail vpon me to saboiit to 
his caprices ; that fortnae,— everything, I will readily sacrifice, sooner than resign 
my pretensions to thee ; and, although I should] deeply regret, if I thoild judge 
my finther wrongfully, it ttriket me that lie mutt have some powerfU native ior 
his conduct, some dnister design in contempUtion, or he would never io strongly 
oppose our alliance, which, I am perfiectly convlneed, would have met with tfiy 
fither's perlect approbation had he been in existence.* 

" I could not attempt to contradict him, for the same idea had previously oc- 
c«rred to me, and a terrible tutploion had been esdted In my bosom, owing to 
oertalft pecnliailtlct hi the behavlonr ofthel earl thai had met my obsenatioB. 
WhcMterhe hadBBetmeaoddeQlaUy,even|bel6re|tbe death of my poor flilber, 
he bad oonduded himself in a manner that had caused bm coasidemble snrpriac 
and confhsion, aithongh at the time I could not imagine from whence the motivea 
could spring. 1 was very soon too fhtally a wakened to a full sense of hit vittmy. 

** With many tears aad protestations of fidelity, Lord Alftcd and I separated^ 
he bdngleompdied to join the standard of his sovereign. With heavy hearts. 
Indeed, did we take our fiurewell of each other, for we foieboded that somelblnv 
was aboit to happen to create fresh cause of sorrow for vs. I was present whea 
Lord Alfred came ta take leave of his father, and I conUI not hdp aotldng, wHh 
the otmost surprise, the evident expression of satlsftetfam which beamed in Ma 
countenance on that occasion, and the Impatlenoe he eviaeed when Lord AMMI 
aad mysdf were bidding each other adieu. 

**< Psha I this is cbfldtoh weakness/ he (^aealited, * and must not^^sbaU no^ 
be indulged In. Blanche, be^ke thou to thy chamber, and leave this sUly boy to 
Indulge sloae in fab oonsente.' 

•' < Father, returned l^rd Alfred, witii the utmott diflicnity rettralnhig Ua 
feelingt within the boundt of decorum, ' surely thou canst not upbraid me fbi 

*^' Enottgh of thit !* Interrupted the earl, <and remember what I have 
to thee.— I trust when tiiou dost retorn from the baltle*fldd, thon wtk hafe 



9dE ROBBfllt^S FOt7KDtlN6. 155 

learned ihwt obedience to a father's will, which la one of the brightest precepts of 
oai* Mtare.' 

** ' I tmsty my lord,* answered Lord Alfred, proudly, * that thy son has never 
y«t forgotten his duty ; bnt I also trust that he will never learn to tamely spbmit 
to that which Is dictated by Injostioe, tyrannical caprice, and oppression.' 

^ The earl ft^wned, bit his lips, and waving his hand peremptorily, we tore 
otfMlvet asmider, and my lover quitted the castle. I hurried from the room to 
my own apartment, the casement of which opened upon the turrets, and from 
wheuce t could view Lord Alfred depart. Never did he look so noble as when 
moanted upon his richly-caparisoned charger, and surrounded by the fallant ^ 
kilfghtfl that formed his train, he crossed the moat, and quitted the gpthic castle ; 
\mt the deep melancholy with which his countenance was clothed, fully erinced 
tire mental anguish he was suffering, and severely did my heart respond to 
ttie' sentiments which inhabited his bosom. His eye caught my form, and re- 
moving his glittering casque, from which the white fSeathers wared proudly, he 
fixed upon me a looir, and by signs bade me a farewell, which was so strongly 
inprssaed npon my memory, that it was continually present to my imagination 
ever afterwards. When the mar^al cavalcade had disappeared, I baring remi^ine^ 
watching It, antll it was out of sight, t returned into the chamber, and throwing 
myself npoil the couch, and covering my face with my hands, I gave full vent 
to my grief In a copious flood of tears. Alas ! too soon had I ample cause for 
grtef ;— shortly was 1 doomed to suffer all that poignant anguish which my wor^ 
feaft hfid prognosticated, ^t 1 am fearful, my dear lady^ that thou wilt think 
lAt extremely prolix In this nak'rative.'' 

^*By no means,'' said Lady Marguerite, who had been listening to her with the 
Most'b^ealhless attention ; ^ on the contrary, \ feel more than usoally interested 
t^' the redlal, and sincerely can I comihlserate with thee in the sorrows thou hast 
ttpei^enc^. Pr'ythee, proceed.** 
Blanche obeyed. 

*^*the ^ay after the departure of my lover, I noticed a considerable alteration in 
the conduct of the Eafl Harlingwood towards me ; he became more kind, and was 
attentive even to obsequiousness. He seemed to study my every wish, and ex« 
pressed the utmost solidtnde to render me happy. I saw they were the mere 
Mafaatioiis of an hypocritical heart, and 1 felt more uneasy than I had before done. 
Whltt more than all excited my suspicions was, that the earl most scrupulously 
^latched my Actions, and seemed fearful of my being out of his sight. He restrict- 
4A Af ^Mhtks from the castle as much as possible, until 1 remonstrated with him 
upon the subject, and took every opnortunity of which he could avdul himself to be 
In my sdciety. I frequently reflected upon this behariour, formed conjectures upon 
tt, hnd Weighing it with other circumstances that had come within my knowledfe« 
lAf mind became distracted with powerful apprehensions, and more than ever did 
I k^gret that Lord Alh'Cd had quitted the spot. And then again the uncertainty at 
Id Whether or not he would ever agidn return, filled my bosom with the most acute 



156 BRNNXaTINS ]>S IiA^T' ^^ 

paiiu He might tail In the strife and deadly carnage :»aod» alai ! wluu would 
then bcoome of me ?— Aod, if e?en he shoald return from the hattle-deld» iP^h* 
not my worst fears long ere then be realised, and my body reposing in t^e -silei^t 
tomby the victim of a brolcen heart ?— This was no hasty or improbable idey Vr 
alas ! f(»r me it was by far too reasonable. Many times did I refljict bjmd the 
document which had been shewn me as the will of my father, and the no^ I 
thought upou it, the more did my doubts of its anthentlcity increase* &|y poor 
tather, so different in disposition, so mild,— so kind,— s^ ^ndnlgentj— to gmteful 
to his unhappy daughter, could nerer have dictated such harsh, such unjust, such 
artiltrary measures towards her. Ob, no; I coaldnot believe it; and if, then^ 
there had been treachery on this poiut, what had I to expect from the fntur^ 
behairlour of the earl ?— I shuddered with horror when I thoui^ht of It. I trenibled 
to dwell upon the probability of my worst fears being realized. Oh, how willingly 
would I have exchanged my condition for that of the humblest peasant, to ha^^ 
had with it content and liberty.— Liberty, I repeat; for what waa the life I w«^ 
DOW leading, Sut one of the worst, the most painful species of slavery, since, 
not only were my actions fettered, but the purest dictates of my heart ? 

*< These feelings gradually gained such powerful ascendancy over me, that 1 could 
scarcely meet the earl without a shudder, or an open demonstration of the repug* 
nance with which he bad inspired me; and what tended to add to my detestation 
(for by any milder term I cannot detignate it), he daily became more offenslvel| 
attentive, so that I was very seldom released from his society ; and there was 
a boldnett In hfai manner, and a certain freedom of speech, that could not have 
any other posdble eflbct, than to ezdte my most superlative disgust. If by chance 
I mentioned the name of his son, which I was generally cautious not (o do^ 
he would fly Into a great rage, his passions being most nngoveaaUe, and 
after it^ng utterance to the most unmanly invectives, would command me never 
to mention again to him the name of one, whom it was imperatively necessary 
that I should fbrget ; and it would take some time ere he could sufllcienUy rtvvwt 
himself to converse with any degree of temper or rationality. All these drcnrn* 
stances made a deep impression upon me, and caused my situation to become 
didly more painful and Insupportable to me. But the confirmation of my worst 
iurmlaet was about to take pUu^e. 

** I had been one day walking iu the gardens attached to the castle> and 
ruminating upon my untoward fate, when some one touched me on the shoulder, 
and turning round, I was alarmed at beholding the earl standing near met wd by 
his countenance, which was greatly flushed, it was evident he had been partaking 
hteij of wine. 

** All the fears and disgust, which his recent conduct Iiad excited in my bosom, 
rushed vividly upon my mind, and noticing tiie excitement, from the effects of 
drink, under which be evidently laboured, apprehension in an instant took 
possession of me, and 1 endeavoured to avoid him. This, however, wu futile ; 
and sou may judge of my alarm^ Lady Marguerite, when the hoary villain 



THB mOBBEB^S FOUNDLING. ISf 

(for tfOlilnU 1VM shortly my fete to profe him to be,) threw bit ftrmt aroimd mf 
ivdil» and drawing me forcSblj towards httn, attempted to imprint a Idst upon 
my li^ 1%!* I oontrifed to deftat, and was retreating with indignation and 
4ls^ast fhMtt the spot* when heliMtily panned me, onee more sdsedme nmnd Ihe 
waiity and til^. In tones of fearM bohlness, he addressed me in the IbQow* 
Ittgwbfds:— 

**< Beatttoons Blandiey thon hast Inspired in my bosom a passion as powerfol 
as it Is dnoersy and now fbr the first time do I venture to nnfbld to thee the sen* 
timents of my heart, and to solicit a return of thy love. Nay, thon need'st not 
fhrnn, fsir faMiy; opposition will not avail thee, I was prepared to meet thy 
acorn, but donbt not that In time I shall overoome ^ne icy coldness.* 

** Disgust, fear, and ImHgnatioo, for awhile choked my utterance, and tearing 
myself forcibly from his hold, I retreated to some distance, ftzing upon him a 
look of mingled resentment and offended virtue, widch for a moment or two 
seemed to awe him, and compel him to fbrbearauoe. 

<' * My lord,' I at length ezdaimed. In tones of the deepest reproach, * this 
language fkom thee!— Suftr um to pass, and to retire to my own apartments.* 

*<<IlK»a Shalt not pass, maiden,* cried the earl, ' thou shalt not pass until thy 
l^liave sealed my wishes. Thon mayest fkown, and heap on me reproaches, but 
diey win but add to the pasrion which hath taken poasesston of my heart, and 
iffge me on to Uht, whidi by diflbrent behaviour thou mlghtest avert. For 
months these eyes, beanteous, too-lovely Blanche, have viewed thee with adoration, 
and I panted for an opportunity to be enabled to give mtteranne to my sentiomnts, 
and soBeit from ^ee a return ; that moment hath arrived, and now do I offer 
thee mr hand, my heart, my fortune. Pause ere thou dost f6<dishly reject them» 
and remember that in spite of everything, I am determined, even at the haiard of 
my Hfe, my soul, that thou sbalt be mine !' 

** He fbrdUy seized my hand as he spoke, hi spite of my efforts to the fiontnnr^ 
and bending one knee to the earth smothered It with his loathsome kisses. How 
did my bosom swell with rage, sluune, and offended modesty i and my apprehensions 
increased, when I noticed the vehement manner of the earl, and heard how 
determined he was to pat his threats into execution. AUm ! what would become 
of DM, without a soul near to whom I might look up for protection ? 

^ * My lorcl,'! ejaculated, after a painful conflict with my emotions, ' release 
me, I command thee, or my cries shall alarm the Inmates of the castle, and ex- 
pose thee to diy vassab. Shame, shame on thee $ thine age should have taught 
tiiee better; but more dian all, thy promise to my poor dying fi^ther ;~ls this the 
protection thou didst swear to him thou would'st afford me ?* 

<* * Do I not offer thee the best of protection, damsel?' returned the earl, 
releasing my hand« folding his arms, and gazing upon me with looks that caused 
the deep crimson blushes of shame to mantle In my cheeks;—* the proteeUoo of 

husband of rank and power, and who is prepared to love thee with all the 
Hrength of the most ardent pasdon? But since thou art pleased to readad 



Itteortbe|«oaill0tl»a4e UayMi«r»tlMUi wUt Mriiiln feoMMWcrtlwi kf Ut 
wUl| lam tbysokgoanlUns that tbon art wholly and Mtely in.mf foifQry4Mi 
that Uioiimiiil««dalo«e be wbom I Mnk p««»p«r, erteMtftiirfBVtiiiift|o«t» 
and beooae Ihe laanlsof a ooBTtBt for tte rart of tky dan* TIdBk of tU^ 
rtylj aod choaiB bolifeaa to torritie a fli>tj aad aaaoloa with laak and powffw'- 

" * Ob, beafen !' I cried, daspiog my baoda togetber, 'eoold my poor Mior 
haiebetn lo cnel, so nujmU in bU JatI nomonti 1^ bit oalgr «UM> fair who 
atteoflcd to bii oomfott for to many weary ytaia, aMi npon wbom bo-otor lait riiad 
tbe 1901I nnbonnded fondncm i-^ cannol^wiU not bailiff iti' 

5"0]nnGbe» cyclnUncd the earlj pa<tf a n nia lyt andoopwtfi^ ioMlnMf • * Mmoo 
what then ivatb tan tbooabonbUttniin my love to fnian, ]>oatthondlap«lttlie 
aothentlci^o/tby Citber'a will ?— Havel not tbe dniiiiwiil inmypatwn H e n a w i Irt 
and i^k^ed Igr bim on bb death bed ?' 

V ^Some anMr meant mnft have been adoplol to eslQit that doooBHmt»' 1 m^ 
tamed, with finnneiti ' 1 am oertalnttbal my poor flMber wonld new voKnrtartty 
have bequeathed me to miteiy and angvlslu* 

** Tbeearl bit hit Upt, and paoed bnokwards aad fSonnidaibr a law mtmantt 
wttboat cirlng utterance to a ayUaWei it wat» bowevcr» q^ ovMentlbnt tbe 
boldncM of my maoner^and tbe antweia 1 bad glren to Mmt baicj in atd a vibleift 
coHunotion inbla bceatt, and toaebed bit gallty PonttUnet. 

<< < Blattcbe«' at length be obtcrvad# bavlnf bya p e fw o ifu l eibn eoBMwbat i» 
covered bis oompotnre, ' tbe attertlont then host made laaot wli&only aoivo in 
emperate me, and effect theit no tervlei;* while «t the #aaM ttea thtf arertiae 
and oojtttt. But It mattennot ; Uma art in my power, aod In epHe of tUoe ob- 
ttlDftcvj I will ditpote of thee at I tliink proper/ 

** ' Never, by heaven I' I esctaimcd, with Increated enero^ < p o vei t i i* n nnn- 
nery— any fate wonld be preferable to an nnion with thee 1 Aa tbe Mm^tlMH 
Alfred I did respect tbe«, and wat prepared to love tboe as a parent, bnt n ow " ' 

" ' Hold, girl !* interropted tbe Bart, fiercely | * dare not ngpin to menthm to 
ne the name of that disobedient beardlest boy; I swear thai be tbali never be 
thine, and sooner than he shoold, I wonld myseU, if be diet not en tba Held of 
battle, ttriko my dagger to hit heart.' 

« < Oh, my lord,* I retoroed, with a shndder of honor, * moke not Ote ofaaib 
dreadful threatt. It tbitthe langnage afatbertbonldnte In seepeettD felatonr 
Shame, thamel^Bdt tbon wilt not penitt hi tbit condnatf' I ttnthwudi in 
softened accents; * thoo canst not mean what tbon tayetti let mopnm, I beg 
of thee, and I will think no more of tbit, which 1 beBnve only to be eaMed by 
tbe ezdtement of— ^-' 

<' * FiOr, but scornftil beaoty,' cried tbe eacl, with a determined air, and teiabig 
my arm with a vehemence that hart mc,-^* I agiin twear that tbon tbalt not qnit 
this spot until I have exacted from thee a promise to—' 
'* ' Ob, help 1 help !' I icreamed, etmggllag as mncb at pettlUe lo rtiente my* 



Tax noBBBB^ FOimiiUKO. 189 



» 



<* Attke aottioBflf Iris «if«, tht earl releaiM ne in a momeit, And staitiitf 
hMk frith • ttmrtttorpf taonnar, be eoferad Ut fiice with his hands, and gruMMd 
ahMid. la an imtm I Mlied apaa the opfoitmOty, and horrybig from the Bf&k 
wkh the apeed of lightnlBg, E haitenad Into the casfle, and retiring to my own 
apaftmtiu, 1 aeamd the door, aad fhvow viadl on mj eoaeh, oompletelf Ofer* 
lii w uBd hf^thofiolaMea of^my twndad fiMlfcigi. 

«< laaad not, I an ^artato. My. al la m pl lo ponrtray to thee ikt emeifoiia 
that jow ogitMad my t^m and dia tom eta d my bMdni I found myaelfpAaoed In 
aritnationotthenMMt fearfiAdeieriptlmiyln the power of a YUhdn, aMivfith no 
oaeMivalJmndy iihoipo«ld tahenny iotoesthi myfiMeyoratteatipltoieictte 
me fkom the dai^rw hy wMeh I was t hr e at me d . Ml tfaonghts SmmedlnCely 
ifMMltrad to Losd AMmd, and my agoiqr hicreaied ten-fold when I refteclad 
upon th» diatanee which dlilded na from each otiier, and the agony be woold 
undefffo did he hut haow the dangero«i and pafatftd attnaliOB fat which I waa 
pteood. Mid the vilhmy of Ma father. Omr wortc conjectnief were eonfhmedy and 
it WIS ipwyeertafai thaatheearl would lun aayilsk, and would not hesitate to 
adopt the moat deaperate meant, looiier than M wlahea alM«dd he thwarted.— 
Alto t what a dreadhil proapect waa now hefhre me; wiat poWet had 1 to%fert 
the«vll^ EiuBWcah I to BNko my eicnpe from te castle, wMther could liee? 

t owltt ui f ipr p t o iee tl o n ^*-WooHe! 

'^'^ whaleof ihntnlihil passed hi the anse Indesctthable stale of agouft 
at Hmea gifing utterance to tbemost flolent espressUms ofd^spak, and then 
on my knees issphtfiflg the prolsoildB of heaven, and calflnf npoit the splHt 
of«r fiMHT to sHfO'aio from tlvo cruet IMe with whiri» the cart Ihreutened me. 

^The ftiflotvln^ motnhig I became somufHial more composed, uuil was pr»* 
paHng^fbteamnycbaaahei', wi«n Ouraldlne, my waMag-aMid, entered the »oom* 
and #itbuinoHniehMdiolyexpresslan ofeountenaoce, iufermedine that it was 
the earl's command that I should be kept couAned to my own stflis of raoam, 
and ndl nllo#ed to leave them utttH he gave orders to that eflbct. 

•'•Blessed Virgin!* I o^^aaUped, with fear and IndigBnIlon ; « ai» I then a 
priaoner?'* . ^ 

•'^MwrlHIs ei«tt so, my lady^' sal#Gersldlne,<hvt I pray thee attempt to 
bear wlAtayatlontly» and trust to the paols ctl e a of heafun. Deeply, most deeply 
do I sympathise with tby solferingi, and well do I read the motives of fk» eatl t 
boa I tnna.his evUdeslgni vrOi be rendered aboftive. Ob, tty lady, think me 
not bold in my observations ; bnt I can never hdleve that thy poor flilher, asy 
hue honoured master, could have known the real charaeter of the earl, or never 
would he have honoured him with his fHendship, or entrusted thee to Ma pro* 
tectlon** 

<< 1 sighed aaavmfdlly, and by my kiuks showed|Oeraldhif how urtMHy I ue- 
quICMcd in her conjectures* 



IflO BBNNBSTINB SB LAOT ; OB, 

' " ' The otrl bM ordered ue to lock tbce ia, »j Udjr.' cdnUwad OenldiM, 
' ind dceplf m It palm nc 
wen 10 alvMi tbr taik 
dw, trtio night Mil be li 
timber tlie earl'i deilm. 
thee kaj idrice, I wonU 1 
tao niUy eppoilDg tlie i 
to inBcdtete ridenee ; >l 
■we bim Into fotbeanncc 
to rcKoe tbce fijom tbe di 
fnutnie the wicked inUDi 
** ' Hlj.gooi, mr ftlifafu 
^iprDTC t>t th J cOBUMl, aa 
IhU MnetblBB will bappe 
endeeroar to meet mj pen 
I bare news wUUsgli or 
ud BKhlnadon* of tbe 
teare we, lett tbe length o 



"•Are. thM I will, n: 
rrton with thjr aonlng'i 
^tiad the caatle, and wei 
For Ibe ptc*est, wr ^I' 
■iMt thailihoBldeveroMutolblil' 

"Tbw elgblag and mrlnging her handj, GenUtee lift no, aad 1b otTilj»w 
M tbe orden ah* had lecdTed, unred tbe door aAei hv. Not van thaa 
haUMiboar bad eUpMd, when I heard fcontcpt on the aWti, aadlnwidlililr 
aflenfarda the key tamed In Ibe loci i— 1 inried np, tUoUag it waa OMakiiaft 
tetaraedi bat wben the door flew open, mj dbappoiatBBl aad akia m^ 
be '■"B*"^ wbeo ibe oarl preeented hlmirif. 

" Tbe earl baiiag dosed the door after hitn. Mood aoaleiaplatiBg iM tor 
a lew ■eceadi Willi leoki of boldneu, wblle 1 conM ^ainlr read fkom tbe hz- 
prorion ot lib OBOBtenance tbe dark and trtUaood Aoo^ti ttat were |w1ng b 
Ui mind. I lUvii^ with mjr (can ai macb aa poailUe, aad eodeanmicd to 
din 



** Aa the earl Mded hli ami, and lUU did not oftr M apeak, 1 bfrte tke 

dleoce br demaadlDg in tonca of ladtgnation :— 

" ' Mr lotd, probaUr Aon baat come hltfaei to opUln to me Ae cMia ot Ma 
ontcagfr— wbr am I detafaked here a pritoner?' 

. " ' Mmplj beeaaie It U mj wlD,' be replied i ' thon doet terget, meibida, 
bat tboB act ondcr my joritdiction, aad mwt not 4ae*thiB m; ewdMlt.' ' 

" ; When ttat condoct \i dktited bj a iptiit of Irrannrand Iqjoiike, I wtU 



THE ROB»efl^ t'Ol'NDLINO. 



ItMition it,' I tetamed, boldlf ; ' i repeal (h«t Iboa basi no ri|bt lo muc nw • 
pri*OD«r; wiMlbara I done tw merit luch «panubiiiepl?' 

" ■ BlaMctw,' laM the «mrl, alter a brM pwte t ' U ic*>* mUrIt wKb *t>T- 
■rlf ; ■ ir«rd from ttatc and tbe bolu thM coaAoc tbc« ((wU b* i*h>>to<n in- 
; bat ototiBBcr wLl pot ooJy bring dowD codCist} Wiitmcut, bat i^il 
■uc ibtc trom tbe ftic ttiou MouId«t avoiii. 1 did iaUy iev»l lo tbt* 
iedU jtturity, acd mjr dcicimiuatioo to ai-t upon tlicu, uid DOtbisf 
can alter mj lualutlDs. I alfer tb«eai} baud, rauk, fbrjuiw— I wovld 
make thae m; hononnd biidv, and lavish upon Ibca cttrjr liappiAt«i ; thw 4tu 
atil njeet tfac propotat while it is jn iu th} power. 0[ tUI*. hon eter, be Miared, 
Ibal heie thou ibalt remalu caofiiitd uulil ihou dosi cunteui to become lolciii, 
or 1 drag Iher by loiee tu (be alur.' 

'^' Villain I' bid atawH ctcaped my lipp, but I ri a.il loy fwllpgs at moch »* 
yoailblr, aad with a look and too* af the iiuuu*i rrienUnvui, lald, — 

" ■ Hhm baat told me Iby Oeirroiinatioii, uiy lord ; bim alw mv Arm ruulu 
lioB—woiMr will I dk ibu liie tocudnre a tele to nc^a deuaiabla.' 

" ' ObMiuH, MorDful ^rl,' cried tfic eirt, in twia epdaaroarlai to dddomI tfct 
rmfc my oppoiltoo eiciied io bii brcMt; ' mind that tbp^ doM oui repcui tlill. 
BMa tiuleimpilMea«nt mtjttrrt lo alter Iby toot. Were I lo tiifftr ihK to 
be at ]Mift, Itini miibicM perebince lahe it luto tliy 6ead to elope from my 
eiutodj i bnl 1 will set aftird tbce ibai opportoutty. But tblok DOt tbat with tbe 
eifeptlOD of codGdIiii tlier, I eiltier with ur iuMnd tu TMtrict tbea io »dj of 
tbjr eDJoymeat) ; aa the coiilrarr, I wonld ^how tti<x by my kinditrii ihc *ia^ 



xmNNEBTlVB DB BACT> ; Om 



■c tol* czpret^oo) of flolcuce, wbkb 1 do cot mein, sod which I ■ 
wtiit Mrr; for. I do reqoeit ihce to coaildcr wfU ibc offer I ban nu 
•Bd complcle at oitcc my h»p(>itiesa and Ibliic own, b; }lelillii; ibf « 
bcoona My bride. I will nu longer iutiude mjself upoo thcr br the prcMHt, bat 
iriU |In (Mc due time to conilder or it, tad will evpict thj aDBarr In a wtrk. 
ParMNll, twcEl oitideti, DuiU we mcel »^u.' 

■• He preurd »y hand with ati air of reip«ct to hii lips ai hr tpoke, and thca 
after betlowlng upon me a lodk of the muil intense admiration, be quilted Iht 
ruom, and left me to njtrlf. 

" It woald be • utelcu occupation of thy ttme, (air l<dy, were I lo etner 
Into ■ mlnDle detail of the feeliugB that filled my mind after lUi latn-ri^w, bM 
kar Uil dllgntt were mjr moit pretlonitiiaDt ■cQilmenU ; liowerer, 1 knew that 
no |(K>d could poiiibly be deilred by gi*iii| way to piel; I, ibrrrefure, m ittc 
eontisry, eudcaronred to cotDpote mywlf ai much at pouible, and iraitlored the 
aid of PiDvtdenca to euable me lo make a firm and determined rentlance to tbt 
rail. One thing atTordcd me infinite aatiifacttnu, which wu, that J imaglnrd 
ftdm bk obKrvsIIoni, I ibould be releaied Inioi the eight ot him for a week, 
' tnd In that inierln I Krcd In hope* tbat aomeUilog night trantpite to induce 
Ibc corl dtber (o abandon bii dnlgni, or to reatore me ag^n to liberty, uid 
reacBc Me from hh power. Conld 1 but manage to etca|je from the caetle, I 
bad come to ibe determiuation loieek protection aud an aijliim'in nome ic- 
li|(toni honu, until I wai out of hi> jurladicHon; and, in facti any fate to me 
appeared prcfciaUi: xo that wltb %liw\i he ihteitcticd me. . My tli<>u|h(s vreu 



TUM R0BB£R'« FOUNOLINA. 168 

ivemmmAf^ud ip«o a/ tovec, who-waa cjipottd to aU the dADf^rt and btrrori 
otfba fii|itti9»f3r AeWof UrifCa and jplglit ere now batt periabf d ^ wlrile» ai 
ilM'iawi l|0€»ataikl^ b* i^livt, fapw Mtttt^ how wny pcrfgnaiit woold ba 
Ida «iifaiali«0M|ld be bsl know Hm miaery I waa aadaiiog, and tha iMa wkh 
vUetl WM4hrfacaaa41iftlia TUteny^f^iia aw» (McTf 
>yj#fai)i|^ cct aita provfdaoifftot; f aair ao nora of tlia aarl for tba UoM be 
bad iben a»e to aooaider bU of era aodOeraldlne wat nyoooataot oo9pa&loo« 
aadi^ Iba aynpaiby wttWi aba aapacaaod in oy nUffonnnea, greatly Qgbtanad 
bi»oifsif carta. WUHagli tvoold aba tnvt aided me to ticape bad It baaa 
lo^^lact'^onrar, hut tbo-aarl bad made oie ot aoeh precaattont, a^d bad paraoai 
•a iMithuMUf opon the wntrb» that aU chance of ancb an attempt waa ren** 
dared aboitiire. 

:** M rtM day qaleUf npptoaebed when the c;arl wonld aspect mr anawar, mj 
^y^jMbmrnkma hicraMsed, but I tried to oenqner them aa mneb aa I coold. lo 
HMMn^t ^ «^ <o >B«e* ^te with that rfaolnilon and pNammaof mlad 
wMi tba natore of the sniijcct required me to do. • 

** The earl waa true to bia appolotmeot* and at an earlf hour in tba momiaf. 
bijIaM my cbaniber, apparently elate wifb aapactetlon. He anterad Into a long 
abd fliriaaaw rbapaody npon my beaoty^ and then at /once demanded my deoialon. 
N^ bad tba moment arrl?ad wbtph reqnirad all the ilrmneu and intrepidity 
L ooald nMltler. and I locceeded by (br better than I eapeetcd I ihonJd bare 
do«e» I anawered bim mildly^ bat with decbioo« that hooonrad at I might leal 
I9 the offer be had been pleased, to make me* I must poaltlvelf decline It ; 
hacwMOi'ware I to beatow 00 him my band. It ooold nerer be accompanied by my 
i|aa>t» I could hare told bim that nothing could ever change the lentimenta with 
which' bla aon bad inaplred me; bat I wai fearfbl of exciting him too fioJ^Batty, 
aod l» tberelbiiat deaUted. I shall never forget (ha n^ ol the earl whan ha 
beard my reply to bia demand i^be atamped his foot forlonsly on the floor, 
bit hia Upa, and bia coaatenance was so dlstottad withpaaslon, that H wan 
Cjdlghtfttl to behold. Ha traversed tba room fiercely for aosM dlonentii and waa. 
unable to give utterance toa ayUablr ; at last he tamed to me» and In a vOiea of 
balAatliled rage, he sakt*— 

«< < Andia that poaiavalj thy decision?' 

** I apf wared in tbaaflkmntive. 

" * Thou wilt not retract that deasioo ere It la too late ?' demanded be. 

*< * I wlH-not/ I anawered with the freatest firmness, baring complalaly aoa- 
nnfM^ maCaaes* 

** * Tla wq|l/ observed |he ear), with fearful eoohicss,-* *tis weU,^-tbaa be 
thf^mminfncas on thine own bead :— obstinate, beadsteoag girl' 

** K^sald so mote, but with a look of fierce determioatioo quitted the roaim> 
closing the door after him with a krad bang, and securing H on the outsMt fts 
Mm«» liU^ha^oaff s^rli9iis(y alarmed, me, fori conaidarfd then waa mora to 
appaahand from it than U be bad used aaf violent tbraaia. Tba remainder of . 
tbitdagr waa passed by aae In the moRt mlsarabla manner^ mj aMnd being fillad 
Wilb ^Uataats hopea aad laara, OenOdioedidaoteoaianearmetbewhobioftlm 
^» babaa eiaolqg apprnanhej ahe entered the rooBi wUk soma rtfresbmeata, of 
which she Induced me to partake ; the eapreised the grealmt oommisaaration la 



x* 



l^i KRKKBSTIKK D» IKA;€T ; OR, 

•-«bfci«ned^fll^Ii%«IH«gi,»nd bif«Nltt)9isAW4i^ wag tolMAr ^^p6iMomH9 Ms 

itroiar ttwii>g»8 tttMt«id<#(}5Mi# fedittg <liimy,- 1 tt>dli*ortHrg*ift*' wim iiu g <lie 

.^Ntf •odnur ^<«b«o tfato^ixnrfrtitituftiitflnoae «i^eMDeM^ii]^itiii1»1l»ttlMil tty 

A ftii wu m fomwi, i|iy tyn* grc^ dim; cftorlDfe^cdlr lirtlK'^Mar fr j ia Wyj Med 

;irMiin> w)t!m,fi^9ulkkig ua Ibeitor,- 1 broMM hncHiftMei' ^«.mt - p-ii tt>^ 

^ <> ^'K)tt jttjTTesiDfBiiBii' iv o<AiicioiisM^, wy ^stoiiithtwMt nrf comminrtlbQ ni4T 

be imagtocd^^iliHiiOf nt^tfdf^m « rebide,'plae6d^MttF96M flfo>raMM»'^«M9e 

' c<ii|iileiiaiietfl fvere MlBcieiit to excite the atifttMt alarai wad dlitgq^r luf < u y i i uto m . < 

,i^fc cirriige iMn pracMdiog at arapM mte^ itlid the iitttnb beMgr doMyvf^Aiid 

ciffo^rtaalty of ^slngin •wll«t^dlrectiOD «« t^ft^ gcfor, "br ViiHltf»i Mift 

i40k«K»MD4»miiiir. I had aone faint recriUeeiimi of fi^liht had^alMd fUMe^lMr- 

U»r«Qod CHStle, aod the iniwaaihHIty SvMch^haJ-liame^atelrtah^ pMi %Mr 

Iiliad |ii»la(ton of^he wlttc ; aod it fioir ntHlBM fw^taaMc^tg me ikm i iw W.tt < wia g 

flldafrhlid been mlaed Krith ir, <6rthe ^Arfioie' of mr beiof 'onflfafMaMlij' 

^ fMttrthe ctoilc arMi greater facility aad necrect. Hme tfaoiigbti ia9MH**a 

» oMtmnt'-acraar ttiy ImvIii, aad turnfogwiCba loOk'of iMfror «a my^ fbracttfU- 

f^oolring ^'ooiapaokins, Mmplared'them, in^'trearulooi adccnts, to tafbm «le 

j ^ nfc hkh ep wewera' going, and ior what porpoae I was borne away ftthD tKc 

^«hnile^* AtHnt tbo locirtboli iid notice of ne, and ^etomad no an%iMrto'#y 

^aateivagitlirlaai bacvpon ve|>eaihig my atippltaatioas, oat of 'thenr C Ui^ HNl ttrtile 

^■i-H/^inv^ieeleR ydnrpMtbig any qaotions to a», young My, ibr ]p4a^*#ifi[^|M 
•^■o ai ll iifm i^rt^gptyv^lr to 'anflUrtttetforyoa to rtowr that yoo afela tbfey»tf»r 
' Affoar ^iardlB»< Ibe^ari of Hartingwood, by #bOM ordb« Wtf act/^ * '--^^"^ 

'«'<«oridrQod^'il^«blKiglitfo mysdf, 'trbat can be btaf motltba «» VeMHIog 
>mb-fnNrtbe*eaai»^fttd^etallhet^ are tlvey taking me? ramloit, ram ldbf;ior 
^oabfleaatfaereirFhaaiietemMed tepafM9(fiabotfeal tfareaM IntoiiMtatMli, afltf' 
ibereis ooouetlmt I know wbocaa interpoae taaate me/ 

'* lleta were tiM'icftectioiii tlmt pamcd temr miM'only^ fori Ai nof IM^ 

tempti»t>trtbemntm m t e, knoiHag firfl wall that I flhoaM meet^ wMi «b pHy 

AonrthrreflMnswIioiiadmefntiMitpciwer. ^ >^ ' 

*^neMPrideteBtiHiODiiiianetftoiiDUoMltBicMMat'ara|M anff theniea 

malnttincd t&aaanDstsilOMe, oat cvn'tidmnglag a wvjM^eaeiMtiyiichaaer. 

Bf Aa-tewftarof tHe^windfl^enMlMR' tharii^Ms boibteil^*#^baibr$*aiid 

aooa afim w a ada t»iie .of the laen ler '^awfi'the' bHtfM, wheb I ^AoMiS tbbrll *wbs 

^ilght^ ^aad- thai the wM tnct of cototey oiftr whieh we weitrttafldlii^ ^w*bat 

:Mti/f Bghted'brHie'lnfW b a ami vf tbrm od b .'^ v • - . .^.-- t. vm ^^ 

-''•We'wace^ttbla Him marins^iclMatett «iitocft,-«d*iM %^ ai'the«ye*eMr 

seretch, throngh tbeataHMl impenettMe HarltiMbai n& proipeet oMhl^be1im% 

cbeedesa. Nataa habHttlMi eooUl beaeen, awt the ^tafee weem«d t<rbft HfHe 

freqoeaiad. Fit epot, tboegtit 1; fonbe perpetratloir of deeds Of darirtiees V i«» 

m the«e Ideas eroased ay mMi my bkmd turned icfHioMi I «baMaM«» aiidf 

looked at my companions with a ibettng^ aacontioalaMe honw. 



•"^m^mimi iaM» mitmrrw9Wm9\mt l«or cMMW|;ti«d*B^aMaM«f>i4glK# 

mi€tAmiiimi& ive iMd h&m tfavdlittf; kit H -mm ctklefltly several boBr»» tmm 

.the J ii m ee n whtell plw^iedt aa4 #ilelf>M*«ft 4v llMg|M'tiM»k wat-aiJetM 

'■i^Aldiglit*''' •rhne Mms neie •■•••■•jr-.^iie tMK^MMd He cMMMnMle ptin 

(tHi^ rh U- ptMii^to h% le« fo'tit^iMe ttiMie i«i#beai weiMwe filtcvd o«riSiii» 

HiAee^and wtw we lwf» »eH»re< lo mt^uf fHemhi^' Iw dwel<e!d ni>^ 

VHHrlftieABtf HMftH watH^m. flW ii il a t MMrf kroifteei the t«lM| wkb wMeli 

. vrae ii|iisencw. Hiiaea smdv poweniiF vnigy i oegMi - ww^t^i^ PS iQipcov tHH mm 

wM id^ttfuted ^>fftir tfcc yite,- wwl htd ^M fc r t # to tfcr fcwe iwlftHt of tbe^arta 

; 3ftiti* frfHileNr'Mlitttn nfleeflMit I fl^fwklerf njMiflf- ftu* eMiitiftBiog Mieh ■ ese^ 

|idbii;*«i4teati*iiy Mt«iMNlbHr oClttvlac aof |Ow tid|iaU wiia <iie^f>lor, i 

r'^MiiMtei*, I«m'«cir«»«IM«Mt«4eaerll»eByl0«l^ gc»tteMm« 

tiMevfliieItt aotei on Ita way; I felt ae If I were bdag borae to dettractioo, aai^ 

&a«dit»aglMfirbanltotfie la illoarjfotttliafld freebaeM^acadi fo'iaaai tlUtttlttie 

"MMi Inw^ beeto pitfenMe lOtlM lertlMe and oefurtnfMe wM^ 'ftecaied to be 

iia^iHghjOf^iBm Alia! what wtMMbr«Waioey,tb«dlitracilMi of wykpfer^ 

.aii*^ble^#li|ait at tiieennlty of Mr vaaaiaral paraati dii bo bat baow 4ha 

viHaaflRiHa tdikk*! wae piMMl.' And yet be bad-tbrebaMI eiiH •o^'ba* it aoi 

ibiitai^br the duty he owed his khif(«ndcomitryr«alhfa9W«aid c i ai b a n. ladaard 

lito to leave tfte.- Alia! mine wata tenriMa-flrtt* to bave aaooaaearat iuHid 

'ttial#r#Mir t<v raMoe aie fran the ga||>y derifai of a vlUalay wlNat*it< 

*ie alHiel ow tbe li aaaMi^faee to call a mmA Tbete tboagbtty tooi^wtre 

.by otberi of a itUI oiore painAil attaat^ if paailbli ; aaattly, -tbe bate': 

tbat* "bad beea retorted to to fiavaH apna ay faiher to aHlie to 

tynoakal'a docameot, for I was ooaMcat tiutt be never efold ofbie 

1 «|lllg«r la <blt id tiea al aioaaentt, eooti fa bit oa^ child ito 

aiisi^* Tboafbtt like these filled roe wttb t^aiaitladaiiilballi btaasiy tftd 

aildiM to lli» augabrti l^eadoted at tbeti ta atiaa la wblcb.<l wat tiimatamli 

4a iBta i» »tltaatioB Iwwa^wirieb 1 taw ao ptt it p t ttw battift r of bahigTyiiaa iif . 

.o^Tbe oMor wat^teral miiet «la ii aita t , ti i d dt i a ft abe 

It t dld^aotaee « iiagle ladlHdaal. JMrat oac wiit cx|iaate of glaoMMid 

Navfag crotsod tblt^ we tatdrtda Iwct of ea«ati^ teaBceiy law ilaaial ; it oaa- 

^^ted^oflillls, iatarMdted witb taviaatwdowB wbitii» bl tbe afaDoetiattttdarkiiia^ 

wHicM pftvaHtd, we n^tra l»- daagir ofbdag pi m ipi ia ari ofety WMacM. Nat 

rtm ItaHslgas of a bomta babitaUaa. aiet ity gaatraad detpdlr. sttitd to sar- 

rMttl'aic. I never remeaibtfrad to btve teea tbeaMS by wboai I watgvarded 

liaMoi bat tlwlr tavi|a f|»ttaat aisd dait f l a t d awiatw wtia t ag il sa t to eoa* 

vtiice am tbat-tbay wem eapable o# ptrpatMHaf aay dotd. b ^w iim ■ aai tra as^ 

tpd tbat tbe earl »boald bave tueb crf i iai et la to pay> gave aM a giaattt fsaof 

tbaa allof biaviHttiy^ Tbas ta r ta a tdad by daagtr^ aad bi tba pawarof one 

nMwat cvMaatly featUiarwHli erlattt wbttbapa*^w*l^tre ibr «a?— 4 wraag 

mf htfadi, a«d> Tiispiay my barahiip t tmpittt taak batb la tbe earfiage» ea«- 

pieMdy ee t apess cia d by tbr tgtby of dt s p ai r .^ 

** Tite mtn occasionally tpofce to etch otbtr is onder toae3, h^i from what I 
ioitid Vlca^ Mie ^«litet of their eonversaiioo did aot t^ aJl telate to me, or to 
the pitee of oai' dcttiaatloay'tad at-- length J Imimf ta completely engrasted by 
my ow« paiafal thougbtt, as to pay little or no ttteatioB to tlitm, tltboagb^ the 




f^b<{ ■iimiiiMrtmij MMMrHir^Mtr NM* 4Mme« • in 1^0^ HttiptmnimM 

9mik§ A'^t^ -km maitimt um l iyilUt t Mi Wyiti^^ha pcaHptc«taltfiotW«Kat4M 

iitfll» of tbtlr «|M«|U* kMf* aw 4ld I otanve asy^6tHMi«te^4*«Mft|'«M 

the will M* the powtr to Milfl me; I cmM* l litm iw i g ilo^iMUhllig tiin n>i 
fo ti gfc fc yw JI to Bf tete, loiMoff oploilw g appiw r it|og-ia oiy oojpiib^ of 

• «^M kmth the tei4ui«M gndiiaUy 4raiiltbr4» tkt 4m 'iwl Mtallk of ^Mv* 
i ppi e if i ki the •itferw boriaoa, md iIm viMilt «HMMf •jieifiUntg ■ wtf 
of .kM wiMocM. The birde bopia t> caooiiofth tlnir t wi Ufl i l oiw lo- < w tk t<ie 
lOFfht 4mv w* tte hetiy nede alghl ho •€«• ploidiog hit woy to Mi dioiml 
hihMTtv villi o OMOlHMiet fwUy with heaUh, Mid o hrow himb i«Mih ^iwoHwl 
iwiihe^hnn hei fliperi thoMtltci. Oh I bo«r I eovled them their le4 aMl 
htiiliHi *tmid I haoe ghreo op litln— end rook, tobefite and audlettfbctf ^ 
iedo'Oe fhcf-wntw Sevlrtl ikMt I ^m half loeUied to epptol to lhett> tod 
MMIl 4hehr iM hi fcMvOf me^ hit tnh fveoeof ead thtoilCBNm ^eocei of the 
roftMM odtfihekl me^ Md we peoeeeded in tUcnee. 

' ^^Alrieiigdf'theMlf torteiiol o ceelle iMleiygaae.aMdftlwaiioM^rideBfl 
mst-mm wet the ^ptoso of e«r dutlomhioi It fiw M eehet d hf tlae^ «■« 
HyiiFe»iil<i jooei ood \rh H vi» eifooeded by o deepmeo^ aod altegethce 



<'Heviof arviiHlet the ceftle» ooe ofihe mtieai ellghted> — d Mewlhlf 
limdlhMhon'hle<h»ni,-«poo whieh tl» dnrahridge «m iiMMdiMelrlet tfewo, 
dod- wo p am etf rn i i f tad ^tertot et the »oie^ whieh weee op e n ed bf aaold^frey* 
h eede d patter of the aM»t >i i>M d l ay eeptcc; we paeied thiMfh aa eneaiifo 
cooft-ilhnl» attd- harfog alighted -freai the tobiele, I- wai oeheeed tatoaeaaeloo* 
halt, date m iedwWh dtt' the fioiip of iradel ipteadear, aad whteh, haarinrtto 
etiaoriet^mpilegi of -«ho aaeieat h«we oC Maringwoed* 1 wasoottvloeed-^ai 
the ^aam helaaged to <ieiaiciiliB»a» aad had miWeaof what part of the,aiaa 
trf wo w«r» Hi^ bal whateaoU be Iho amri'e amtlfe kit rraMvinf mo Ihiawri 
I -coald B0% l«igfic^ at^ ehoaldhavebaaaovHOIf «^H HorihtgwoodQaiMtk 
aad ea ti a i aa eaea a a f n hi'hie p««ai^.ot l-ceold iiemlb^ he whcM thiy had 



^Mlnr trn ilt threaghicfegal ap n a» iu l » we ati^pcd ai tha-doarol aact 
trbieh ^eae d o B «io i iilie i a gPHetfr al^he- a»tiel idiiai» aod^haia oao of«f 
coadudoM hartH Modhad thedoeri, IwaHMifed'lo «M.la,Mich»Mgh« 
doof^thc door wai eloeed opoo me» ieekad aad halted; aad I wae that Ml la 



'« I looked MOttod Bie» aad <oaiid myeelf hi a eoite of haadiemtlf ihwiM»d 
loomi. of Mtf mi c u a m edl uM e dcj c ilp tteot h» om ef which wae placed a 
bed, whkh scnaed tn have been. hot recently pieced there Her my ateaawaedatiea. 



THE -RoasBii's vfmwDijfwm^ Mf 

oiftalf upivdtlfclyto^eiMf* ^'^i 

WHti-I hMiiiilitlKf»««iii«Mli|*ioBlicMi«^ tflft Wi^Mm «Ub« 

«M«N^«id4iaMdl«iilr all«BMMli tmiMmnmrnf of wiit»WtA lywlviw^rfito 
appearance, entered, briinUy * Hhii » rb ia fiii ligi iifc ^rttol^^iili» g li w 4 «a fWMHMi 
MlMii4<4i InuA^M^ liliagiBfiiMB nwiai^ 4lilie4 iDi0i«pMtAlK),t Mil^^aiMadl a 
iMt JdWii^f'tti^oMUf tkei^ore^ttai4i*qh^.6iid a«jippaiii9. Jif^|ii«f»#ra«i 

l nqu eHid ikiHi abe MDiiilJMtara« aB.whfi^rtt^hrDVflKlWaitrt 
afttfAwktfiuBPiSfafliMiatl wa>4o^tlif tfiaMle^ . . .> jl. ' j , > > .jt i m iii 

• i'V^^Aaiae mkytihom art braiigkt Uihor, yniM« My/ ar|Mleii'«bt ipowik^U 
iareiay Hion kaawcat ai well a9 1 4o, bacaott tbaa art a fool, and Tinth wijiirt 
to«ooept of the hood of tb« earl. Thon wilt 0ce liiai ih|itiif >in ihii.'COligM of 
^>lihd■^^,f•ad^^do^^o»doa>|^wtJ^haMfco>^lil»t^l«l^be^^ 
lit» W iaia<iltwipll» n|i pii<tbeffiUoCMiiowMrip>' *..$. i 

ift^ I -UMiieil^fiPiaib thi oUlnowao wltb tfcoHns of tlie BNiti itpepM^ tMotdinwifa 
HiiMHk Ml4alM- ikflMU IMT any rrplari'biii «r teMai«v«lM MUb M^ 
mHo** atAiil wiiffiyidiilaillr 1 €Oid& MMur i«ie lalit Mreati ow of^iMMi 
iRdb. nv^g Hmh i<w«i^ aot iaoUaed. to aaa^ a»jlM«» aMCTiia ter« liMmM 
mfmm aliDOfi iBMKMiitlr aHerwanto <|iriiied «ba roo^ i^acb to^ B4v^ii»(«(w 
i«a«ktioig«ie ofKHUitr itimkifeoaiMiteaaooe witli€#i^aeiitfaieQtoUlitwt»i 
mfaNMidad diagnat. . •...,. i^, .« Tftu-r 

, '* The words of the old woman Jiad added to tlie aogaUb and lapwju^ili f 
iMi bf4mt <ai|«rlflMSod» and ia a pt^i^^g*'^ M mmt ^ 'm^ fmymlLaptm^mh 
mim^Hil iMfkiaedk-ilietotcrpofitto of HeNrao, anA kwd^scimtkf^ m im ^ f b ^m 
ny ko^aa* whan 1 heard Mom one #t the rtom 4oor«.tai4 iiNWHttM«^MMr 
f9Pi4a^.i|»»^ffCiaei4tftMltfaeeari4l!Ood.b^or0tt««. *• . :^ . t n* t' 

'*lkg|Mi$J»»4or«learaeooadi i» «U«n«^ >o4ai>fc 'i p y W Wi »t >^>iW>liW>U 
and ca«|$atioD paeead o»cr hU feaMwoa; Ntf .soon 4^r«ordii b<i*.<iiton>a# 
i)evfctoiwtrdfqMb»odioa;rokarof.bol4neaiiaaldt<^ p .n ...n ^* *^ 

•sMpr«lflOflir,IMrlUaa^»,to8t.QibM'fCaai|e. Tiiov^ ffuhahlyi dM «oMim- 
Mp»¥) »«9h a io«iD«ij, $U thiMl «<W«^I <h«oh Ihloo one «biciMQy..ai|ii*cum' 
.|liMHrih«t(ho«baathetii4NH,|to4ho4oooi»w»laac»om« Ai. HwitnaPioA (OnUig 
thfire.iatre «fnreral.i>hitMl^ ^ jihe coa^MoA of m^f-^Kihch hm Im(|ii Ihwe mo 
mmm; aii4 ^ now.coane to ibca.na UioffP to solicU» hot to comiaaAdr i^w^l 
no kMiger be tanpmd with by the peyyofao^opperitton of. « aiMy jlrJ»<huit aii(«Mro 
Ihiliaoiopiiaiwe whiflh I hiiw hliharto ii«ad for» p t fai re Viy««¥»-AI»o«hM Ibis 
evff9lai( aiakaa thee my bride,' . r , ** 

,*^j:)m^9diiHmt^ w^ih terror at the hiidatKi and d«ie9muNit}o^^f h|s wm»9r^ 
lihivvr ipyi^lf .at hU faa ^ea d with elaapad handa af d^al w i in in g jquiw >i p>twil 
hhnia forbo»r» bot^he tanwd from «e wiy» 4odiicr«nc«,jMid foiag toflpaidaah^ 
ilQor>itid«a he opened ifci-* k. , .i . 

'<• XliMi boat beard jny delcrmbiaiioe ; ~ thai ddcrmlnaiioft k aoaltcfahJi* 
- AdlaOv.lMl^ tusaiaf^ when J shall comi- to cobdnct thee to the altar/ 

*& )p(ho«t iail]if.eaatber word, the mtI bowed to oMRaad retired. « 
. V Idy Cteliiigs I i^d not now attempt to dKucribe ^ J itaw at eoca that all hopo 



168 «1lNNKSTfNK BR I.ACY ; OR* 

of finpi (torn the t^tie mUk mlttek tke tyVMi ewl «k»c«leiic4 me, IMS tl An »ti<t, 
Md lhAt» titnatwl at I wm, iu a place where I had iiotn ma^ itm^kitmlpt^ mh 
nili lw< jMiii <tt wtti or ih»y6wirio ■!!— ji tonwt<>ie»t l<ii aniiiim ^^t^l 

Mi0^v Baoffp* flB^^ Bi^B • ■BawBB w9 NHOBB we ^woene ■■» ^vtvwi v* Ni^Pif^ppfff 
iraoSf flbovc mI oMWfs^ I Miw vaawB and Mlitladi . p < 

*«» Ah, imwd, <a«a<^» liwt aaye 9t jii^iha/ teaMkKtaiiiwW <> why if^|»qn 
■oC'«i hattd fo xmem ihf a a i n uiMie Alanfltoa tett a feie •» mffl hl»l.; §im 
If 4M ivetty vfMMiltfMa hare the p g w i. t»aapaam4* AlatySoi th p a tow i l 
Ml nilst er o»|Mb :thy telhar'a deipolie wiH^ Alaa * alaa 1 hnir fi«at lapnM 
he thy angaiih, Oidat thoa bm know the ■Jterj to whkh J aa at the ^ftstat 
IhaonBt espoied. I in eaotloeed, that even at the baoard of thy lather'a «i«9rtal 
dliirtMMUie, thoa trooldet Interpose to save mt^ and aecooipNih thy ertahet, m 
perM fai the atieapt.' i .. • 

<* Thcae thoaghtl, while' they caoaed aM aneh pain^ at the iaaia tliM te* 
klodled hope In my boioni'» and a elnMige Uka taddealy taok pe tw a ete B aC«f 
arindy thai aoBethldf woald oontr to save mm Iron the dfeadad tata 'with 
whieh I had keen thi ei t eaed hy the earl. TemUe weivitba iuiUlM|e I MMed 
lathe ietr short hows that faterveaod belirtfea the tina at which the eaH had 
pranls c d he w o aid retara to force ne Co the aitar, and M^ 49A \i apptar 
to pin nova^ilcfciy awhy. Two or iheee'tiates durlag the dmh the old wvnai 
tMM an 10 ktliif feflrsa h neatty aod whea she fbaod na hi leaffa/aho wwald 
aeoff at ny aagalsh, and with many disagreeable additions, make use of 



«<«Wtll,rneiire; I shoald very noch Uke to kuowwhmttMM hw« tb tast 
ahodt, yonif lady» keeaase, forsooth, a aoUraiaii of the hlghcat rank aad'hiHhv 
tnriMs to aMka thee his kride. For iiy part, 1 iMakthoa sboaldsi fM thyHlf 
highly hoooarcd aod deNgbted wHh the ehhnoa. Howatar, ITiiieaif ftiUhn. 
or thinklog aa j ^da g ahoat It « for have thee, the earl ceftaloly wW, and ihe 
yreparatlonf for the aaioo are ef«o now golagoo hi the chapel of the canle/ 

•* I clasped my handr, aod nibed my eyes towards Heavea with a look oi 
eoraast tapplicaciomy as the old wonmn thoK tp6ke, and mentally invoked the 
peotcctloa oT the Sapfeme \ and again did a kean Of hope dawa apoa mf nlod. 
Kiadlng tiwil would uoc coudeseead to nBCarh her any answer, the oM woomMi 
walked away, and I was agalo left to myself. Bat I am «NuM, lady, diat thmi 
wilt deem me prolix, and I will, therefore, not detain thee atiy Icnger tBtn I 
caa help, by any annDcesuary ohacrvatluns. 

** At leagih the doll shadii of evening M\ apon the earth, and I sadd<«lr 
heard a strange noise and confased bostling^unds In the caMlf . ^raoae i^dfthll 
to be pissHig nlong the gallery In great haste, and the etosini^ ofdUlA^of dbor» 
and other tokraa» shewed that some aonsnal dtvasaataoce was ahoat to tklir 
plaef. Poll well coold I andierstaad the meanlag of It; and my heart thiohheU 
vk>katly as the idea of my approaehiag fate darted npon ory ndod. In a fHv 
ninates nfierwards, 1 heard some one advaaeiag along the g^lory cwwiAdi the 
apartment in whieh I was oonftoed, aod the next inataat they Moppdd at the 
room door. Next 1 beard the boHs behig withdrawn, and the key faming in the 
lock i iu a moment the dour was thrown back on li« kingr», and my dreildeJ 



lUB ROBBERS POIINDLINS. 



pmtcMur mi io nji ptexoce, and vjeiag me wilb luoki a[ (xuluilon and 

" ' NoWr BlaBChe,' be eidaioied, xl wiciDg towardi me, and fordbly Ukli)( 
Blhuidi ' *rt tbou prepared lo bnoDie mi bilde? 1 have come to lead thee 
totbekltar.' , ', 

■" Ab, mrlord,' 1 cried, rbrovlng niytelf on mjIinMs at his fecL ; ' inrelj iboH 
wlU MI be 10 ernel ; Ibou will relent, and not force one to become thy bride, 
nbo (ui CiCwin tbee ai a friead, u a tktber, but who caanot lore thee a> her 
hMbwdf Namre, Jiulice, mwo, all oppoM it; aud Heaven imelj will cot 
uoctiDo Ncb a deed.' 

" * Paba ! no more of tbli,' uld tbt earl, * I am sick of beariai tocb nnmean- 
iitf ttmti i I Md tbee my determluUon is the muroiDi, and it la leldom Ibal 
I broab bjp mrd. Come, i« ibe altar,— to tbe altfr.' 

" ' Ob, tpat* BC ! apare ne !' I Implored, aa tbe earl Ibrcir bit arm* round 
■y wtiu, aad procacded la force me from tbe apirtment. Bal be wat deaf 
to m; Mtteatiei, tod (he more ardent I bccme, to did hit reaolutioo *[ip«ar 
to increaic He led me forcibly fitta ibe apartment, and in a state of almoil 
nacoBKloiUDUt aloci ibe gallery, acntu tbe gothlc ball, and Into tbe chapel, 
wh(f« I fotind ■ Diuaber of tbe earl'i retainen Mtemtiled, and a monk watiinK 
u lbs altv, upon whleb ll|(rti were Unrvlng. 1 looked around upon tbe diSi-reM 
ptnoM pKMDi, in Uie bopc to lee lome of tbem pity at, and aiep fonrard 
to tave me, bnt, alas : I looked in rain { they irrre all Dtc irrrile creainre: at 

Nu. 22 



:17P B^NNB^TiNi: i)B, i^^Gv ; Oi^ 

, '^Ifeearl M, or rather dragged me to the altar, asd l^ere I threw W0^i 
jUi the ^ of iha holy mao^ and in a toice of the moal vabfmeol mutfonliia, 
.MPrtw4 *W Ittterfrreticc and pity. ^.r.?w 

•« ' Hear mt, holy father^' I crled» < hear me. wbil* I decUi^ that I amdl^^ 
^^ttyriigpipat-my wW, and that I object to bcooae, the br4de;of th»t:iHihkaati. 

«0|||da i)oty I beseech thee, suffer mp to fall a victim to -r- • ": : .- s 

'* ' Proceed with the cen* oony, mooh/ iDtermpted the earl« jivecBplaiyK ; 
«|eed.|fOi what this silly girl says; let the marriage be tokmoiifd vitboot 
Kore delay.' U4 

^' ^ Oh, mercy, mercy !* I shrieked, as the earl seiied my hand) and with looks 
4t| Ihe otmott impBtieoce, ootiooed the moolc to proceed. No oae ar9^n4, 
■,hoivever, aeemed to pity me the least lo the world, and the monk ohey^ |||e 
ffdera of the earl;— he commenced the marriage rites, and with the moa^tw 
vdecable anguish I gave myself ap to desp^, when, suddenly the lights a^il^ 
Hiltar aeemed to bum blue ; a strange sensation of mingled horror and h<^ 
J tapk possession of me, and the monk paused, as if his senses had all at offe 
become BtupiAed. The persons present seemed to experience the samt -myaterlimi 
lidKAg, and looked at each other with expreuioos of awe, amaacmant, aiidcon- 
-Hjlioo. T If- 

'* ' What means this V cried the earl, whose connteoance had become. ghiiiSly 
ifale, and whose limbs (in spite of the efforts he made to stiiie hia cmotians} 
* wembled violently ;— < bath madneu seized upon ye all, that yg ataod Ibwe 
fapittg^ and with vacant stare ? Why dost thoo not proceed with the rrremaqi, 
.monk?' r 

«r '*J^ ^^^y ^^^^^ re- commenced the ceremony, hot, scarcely had hentleffd 
^ a. word, when a holtow and sepulchral voice which seemed to proceed imm 
, beneath the altar, cried :— . ^ 

^V ••• Forbear !• 

». ."The monk becante silent in a moment, and he was evidently moeh alarmrd * 

. 9^1e the earl trembled, and turning more ghastly pale than he had done bofeit, 

looked eageriy around him upon the aatonished and affrightad individsals pivsept. 

. '•• Who was it that spoke?* at length be demanded, in faltering accent|{y. 

* i^ho dared to give utterance to that insolent mandate ^^ By mine honour, i^ I 
^ ki>e w tbe k nave he should pay right dearty for his impertinence.* , 

, - /' '^old, son,' said tbe monk, solemnly, « it was no mortal voice that apoh%! 

Trefuse to unite thee with this maiden. Heaven is opposed to the nnptiafs.' .y 
"•Tiiii, — this is beyond endurance,' exclaimed the earl, Ina v^eaffhc 

most ongovei^na^rage, « bath madness seized upon ye all, I say agaUi?*4t is 
.???• ^^"^ ^^^ ^ frustrate my deslgnn. Oo on with the ceremony^ I once i^W 
'iloamaiid- thee, holy Ikther ; thou snrelv canst not be so weak and sopera^ioiis 
^ihy words would infer?' ' 

* *P*^"»«*«<^« »onk partUlly conquered his emotion, anda^ainh^ Inegaii 
afeaeaAwoay, aM my sHaatldn and state of mind maybe very readily imagine^ 
SRlfr^r However, had he opened hb lips, when the same kwful voiise * wlilch Id 
«(p:|te4«oaiQeh alarm hi the breasts of *Htrts<bt; repeated th* Word •I'^rWi/f' 



TRE BOBMS'l rOVN0LINO. 'l7l 

• tolittiiftrilBof BotfeflotladoD til* lira aad In amoDeftt WMtctA ttlttltilf| 
fectWMB i1m tiri and the altar, a iliaiowy fpmalc forv, attired luloof flDHftif 
«f i^Mic. It- bid appeared to rUa horn tba earth, and u ifmj ona 
Utet wttb CDoaterBatloB« and atartcd baek In amueoreati It itood^lk 
•M ir« cBttodcd towarda the carl, whila tfat other was ralaad towardiUMfp^ 
o If cmiinaiidlaf ebcdlance ta the Bame of tiie Moat High> 

^It Wit ttveral moventt before the carl wai tofldCBtly recorend Mil- 1^ 
•arpriie and horror to gin nttctaact to a word» bot at length, in a foloa of 
ievior,hte»lal0ed.*— 

^ ^ 8p<tk, mjfiatifoos beiag, who and what art thoo ? Whenoc comctt'thiu* 
and for what purpofcc?** 

' "'deboldl* rq>fied the awfol-lookiog Tisitantyin the same Mriemo aad !«• 
ileicive accents at before; in an instant afterwards, the long white tail #hidi 
ild Mtietto coaecalcd her featares was thrown aside, and what was the horHk 
If cnrf piraott pr#s«ii, when they beheld the spirit of the late Coontcss of Hit- 
UgWood ataadlog before them. Her face #as ghastly pale, and hCr eyes whMlh 
leaned forth a sttpemataral rspressloo that wasawfal to behold, were dtfM 
ipon the tail with a look of reproach, cnongh to freete the blood in bli VMs 
irtllr horror. ■'"; 

««*ibade of my Adrialde avanntl' fjacolaied the earl, in a hoarso n^, 
*fnli my sight, I cannot g^e apon thy ghastly leatnres, once in life so 10fdl|f. 
0ki hence I hence I to the chamel-honte again.' 

-•^TlMiiapfaklog, the tenlAcd nobleman coTcred his fkce with his hands, iftd 
bCM hii knee to the earth. Again the mnsic floated in one solemn burst "bf 
melody npon the air, and the phantom repeating the word * Forbear,* tantshel. 
The monk, alarmed, had made his escape from the chapel, and thft other 
persons qnlckly followed his example, so that there was only myself and the 
eail left behind. For a short time, horror and astonishment had so encbUned 
an my facnltles that I could not mo?e, and almost became nocoDScioos'; bat 
when I beheld myself alone with my petsecntor, and he in a state bordering 
npon hisenstbllity, the thooght of self pref ervatiop, darted with the rapidity of 
Bghtnlifg across my brain ;— there was no obstmition at that moment oflmd 
td my flight; the doon and aTtnoes to liberty were open, and, therefore, 
leltlng the opportooiiy which thos prrseoted itself, wlib silettt and cantioni 
footsteps, bnt with the utmost precipitation, 1 fled from the chapel, aind soon 
afterwards found myself In the court-yard. Fortuuately, the drewbrldge was 
down, and I pused OTcr It without encouDlerIng any person, and ere many 
mhimci had elapsed, I was treadfog the mazes of a deep wood, the glooff of 
nMeh waa aloKist In pervious to the reys of the moon. 

**The thonghta of llbortj, and the fate from which I bad so narrow^ 
escaped, hdded speed lb my footsteps, and I hurried on with l)be otiaofi 
npidlty* taking the direction of the Convent of 8t. Agalha«, npon .Ihf pro* 
taetloD of tho holy aiaten of which I determined to^row myselt Any 4hto 
epiiBod to me to bo preferable to the one with which ibo earl had threnieaod 
me, and averse as I waa ton life of seclusion, I deteradnod to choeaa thai 
rather than become the bride <>f a osan who was so truly hatefWI to ase. Aa 
for Lord Alfred, semetblog seemed to wbltper to me that I should never ba* 



-172 BBNXfB«rcif £ im woaet ; -oA, 



^lMNMiitft4^/aii«%t Vhit cMidtovt tUst'i* •ftertoM oa « f »t » w »n| fi 
tt^ ittlNrtlMif, IT tty f^rs «»«r» ^tfltieil, "vHiM elMiM ^pihiIiI!;4Im m^^Hwtf 

TfttfiteHMta^tl (ytflsed qnftkly'ln Ihy ofM n 1 bviflHieil an ^mf mty^^Uti 

b«ck, fi«<iyiD|; I besi^ tite volcbs oT perftdd^ In {>urtftflt of nle, bvt Hiephi^ 
HftrkneM tliat |irevaned» prerrentM mo ffoni dUllii^BiAhlf ^j^tti Ht Mm 
ftbortttt 4lt^DC«, mn4 I was at length edaVed '1o ' peraualle it>^lf tliat t 
' bad only •ofFeivd my imagioatioa to alam ma. 

'* From tbe Convent of St. Agatba, I knew I was dhtant abodt fite milei. 
aid-eouM I but reach there before thoie who would, doobtleia, be tent in 
purauit of bm, should overtake me, I knew I should be in safety. I coi»* 
linued my fligSt for some distance without so much at ▼entnring to stop ; 
•bat at last» completely exhausted and broatbless, I was coaipellf4 to- {muse 
to'MMt mysetfv and leaning against a tree, listened attentively, ready to catch 
tba least sound which might give me cause to apprehend pursuit* All* hnm- 
ever^ remained still, save, at intervals, the wted whistling ameng the fsii^fr) 
and after the lapse of a few minutes only, I resumed my flight with w dnnbled 
-gpeed* Hot far had I proceeded, when a> heavy .peal-of tbnndnr r siasb B satnd 
abtMonny hend^ and aoonafterwarde the rain began to descend In toniaA|s»nnd 
the forhed lightning flashed its fury in the Heavens. I wna fenrful to proceed 
in sech'w st or m , tan^ yet4o linger where I wna, wns to famnr the utnieni Aangcv 
of again 4iMng in the power of my ^Vended enetfy. The fury af 4he i u mpist 
ternfted me, and in spite of the conssquene«s that Might ensue, I lenssMft- 
straifled 1o seek shelter in the ruins of -an old tsaslle thM- happened fo^ imar 
the spot. Here I stood In a state of the.grentest auiiety and arpprilMnsiMi^ 
aod evCry peal of thunder fell upon my our with increased terror, wMIe the 
flaahes of lightm'ng u?er ami anon, revenled to me the glooni of thb ptacnia 
which I now was. Many centuries had passed over these cmmVlibg' ruins, 
and its once proud and noble possessors monldered with the dust, and were 
forgotten. Perhaps their grim shades haunted these dreary ruins ; v^hat deeds 
of darkness might there not have been perpetrated within their gloomy pre- 
cincts. I felt a trembling seise upon my limbs, and my heart palpitated as 
.' these reBeciions crossed my mind, and I would have given anything could I 
have been able to resume my journey. Bi|t the storm increased in violence^ 
until it became trnly terrific, and did not seem likely to abate for some time. 
My present situation was a dangerous one, for every now and then 9ome 
fragment of itbe ruins would fall, and the flaahns of lightniog whielhatln- 
t«(viiU, dariod in, at.thn different apertures, played across my eyes, end created 
my oKMtft alamu 

'* But now another, and even more serious cause for apprehension occunM 
to mc« Suddenly the voice of men, which seemed to proceed imniedlately 
from the ontstde of the ruins, smote my ears. A cold tremor came over 

i 

me, and I was obliged to lean against a broken pillar toiopport myself. Wjth 
breathless attention I listenett, and was at last enibled to catch the following 
words :— 



TBE ltO«BE«.^S.FOI7NPiJNa. 173 



iMiMiiim-ligi— oldewlKifc^p^<«y— >d to 4m^ iMjr •f Uiis te»p>K fir 
oM lea loiMHet. I — wet to the tkia alweidflfw^Pd aithtie fiat.— tin *|o 
•fbr « icImms of etelierv I ih«ll e*«a take a|^ 'o^ faanwe 4effe Itti tbe 
etaf-fci ♦eer» aa^ let the la<y fo aay #>ei» ler wJiet I eart»* 

^'Plafae ea thie^ OiwelflH' aeplM the f«ke ef « «e«oa^ « iiteA it ths 
aae oT Ahoa heiaf ee ceifaaaiad ahttioa4e? If we mnj^ tha Mj Bkache 
#ilh^ieayB»^ad w« arffbt«e #ell hAaf aaieelfee at oece, «• te relaia l» the 
«aitle wiihottt her. The earl it Ittse a ■aJman.* 

•' • AaA «*ea let him he lo,* aatwered Rolaad,« hy «ll«hc «itaMt ia Ghrit- 
tendom, I will aot badge aa iach Ihrther while thit ttoiai rsf et la the 




**> * Ner I»' ehitrTed aaother» * I aa of thy opialoat Relaad i bat while we 
aie-ataadhq^talhlaf hare, we are getliag wet thraafh. CeaM a l et ^/ 
* ^.Tkmwtm mom amwm^ tewardt thevetiaace of the caitle raiai,aad werde 

aa Adefaale idea ef aiy teraar niiaa 1 heard the rete l atjea 
1 (gave aiyiilf «p for lett, bat wMka deteiadaatlaaa^t to 
hewfteheaeidthofit aa eilert t I cooeealed ayail^i well <at I oeaid^ hehiad 
apofiien oC the mfaM, and BMHially hoflerhif the pretectioa of Beaeea» i 
liflaty'Cete la He haadt. The awa eatered the jlaft» aad eeea eteqd cleie 
le the part where 1 had hiddea ayeel^ aad yet.thejr ael^ed aM aot, for 
the darhieit was iapeawtiahie ealy for o aaa i ea t whea the Kfhtahi^'flathed. 
I wM abaeet afraid to breathe» lett I thoald betray a^y«clC« hmi ia that re- 
apeet,4heregiaf oftheetoraifoToareda^ withet. ^ 

M»Thlt it ao pleaMat rplaoe, by the aaaat* ehecnred Rolaad, «bit ft d» 
haHat thaa tfa^elliaf through thetterat*. 

»«» Ape, ej«>»' mUI the third epeaher, « thoa tapettaifht, AokMli hettdet, 
I do i»t thiah there it a^ch ehaace of oar «ieeti^g with the Ledy Blaache 
to«|f 14* ladeed, I bnagiae that the hae aot left the -eattle at all, bat that 
•ha hat coacealed henelf 'la oae of the aeeret ebawhei «atil the caa lad « 
'fitiiaff eppoftaaity to depart ; what foalt ww eaatt all htwe heea* to have 
heea to frightened ia the cbtpel/ 

•' « There thoa aad I differ,* itaid Otwolpb, • tboa mayeet 4ie Tcry fond of 
the toclety of^hotta aad hohgablfaM, bat I ctatt coafeoe that I lihe thaai beet 
at • rc^ectfal dhitaace.— Ah 1 what ooite waa that i* 

" ' I beardjio Delta,* aatarsed ^^Uad. 

<* * I JbiNight I heard toataope jaerlog,* rcaiarhed the Bao, oho had he- 
fore apohen« * .Thia la a vecy llhcly place to be haaated by et il tpiritp.' . 

** * Or robbert, awre likely/ ^acabted Roland. * Wbata p«|tiQa the epil 
wat 4n nhea he recoTored .from bit fHgbt« and ditcorered that the Jady wee 

*' * Y«H and 1 foney be will be ia a itill greater paetioa if we return wilhipK 
her» rfjoioed Opwolpk. ' For my part* I think the Lady Blanche was very 
•illy to be to obstinate., What objrctioD coold ihe beve to Jlhe etrl V 

***Two or (hrte,* replied Roland, 'and » in myopin^oo^ all of tbeai very 



174 ERNNBtTINS J>K LACY; QM, 

,yHI&mM$ onn t«#. In ijb^ftrtl flMettlit 4oA't ttlw bin « it^lk MStflavt, 
III to tM ^ *«d tM kmb, Im •« pf Wr mmSM^ iitf^tMmt «M» IttHf* 

tl^atlww Are fhifi w Uri li» nugbt w b«f<t Ur« > I »»yy 'Wbui^ «i««ttj4M 
Ap47 9r«»&il N !■ if ibt kiM«r tiKl LoN Attrei iMidl NtiifMdte»lM«rM% 

11^ tut IM il «t pVtMM Md i» CMiMMBt by Ms iMlMi^'^ 

. ,*^J c«al4 iritb dlftMity npmm a fcrMAwlMA Ib#M4 Ibtt; m* frMto 
I wwAMtftUy fffrntofal !• Btmrwm that. AUM had Mwp td fw ih t b|Mla- 
ftald/yet tkeliMwladf e that ha w» sada a pritaacr hy hialhthtri avA A* 
croaUkt ha night he lohjactad to ftliad mj hatam with tha m 
griaf.*' 

'' ' Thau nuijaat tay that, Roiaad/ said Oswolph i * hut what it tha 
af thaaarl'acoadact?* . # 

" ' Why/ aaawarad tha sua ipohea io» * it it not «iaar aaaagh? 
it afraid that if hit taawaa at liharty, ha woald co«triva ta ga^ lh« luiynttt 
U. hit yawar, la tpile af hit affwta la the caatrary, and ■any har, t# ht wn 
Wht»hahatBMida Hyrhr taoaraiy hit» I da not tappata that httHllhaa^ 
Urd Alftad my laagar ^ a tat d , WaH, allor all, I thril aotha^tafirtftht 
yavBf lady doet etcapa, and ha aaahlad to frattrata tha dat|gat of a«r kH^ 
Ih I da Bat Hha taah aatfaal BMichct, aalAar da I aypvava of aay ftma , 
•tptcially a fenalc, haiag fbrcad agtintt har iacUnatSao.* 

"*wAad I tappoia It wat that iMting which made Ihae to tardy ia can- 
tiaaiagtlit partait,* ranarkad Otwalph. - ^/ v 

«* « At^ar that matter, 1 caa*t exactly tay/ retorted Roland ( • hatW a«t 
tfOBf rataerlahi, and that it, if Ihad haea at foaliih at than waaldarhaTa had 
Bia been « I tboald hare got tneh a wetthig, that I thoold sat, in all pivbdMMly, 
hi^ra raeofVfed Iiob Ihr Haay a day. Bat, came, the ttorm hat aeer abated, 
and I -aai taady to depart. We will tahe aaother diiactioa, aad VMiba atr 
way4o the vHltge, n eae ef the eettagee af wMch the girl hat aait- Hhdy 
teoght tbelter ; fbr It tt not at all pn/babla that the woald travel the oh •«!% 
% aight at thit, if tha htt left the cattle at all, whkh, at IhaeeeUd before, I 
haire ity daahit af/ 

** What a lalitf wat it ta me when I heard tiilt prapotitSon, aad the atatfet 
Ihat wat gieea ta It by the other two nwn, lor now I eould partoe ay iray 
ta iha tm w Mw A wttbawt fMr, at ft wat b a diametrleally oppotHa difactieft. 
The ,lhraa aaa dbectly allarwardt ^prttlad tha ralbt i and when I teeght 
I had gHoB them tottelent thae to get away from the tpot, I left the place 
af my caaeeahneBt, breathed freely, and retarBed my ttankt te BteecB lor 



*" nattoimbat^ thitthBt aat»Bly caated, the heavy etoadl tthf %^kn 
ahtettad tha tky had pat^jld awBy, aad eaaat l tt t myrMt of Hwi tpathlBd 
ia^ia flititBlinl, I laft thr ratet. Bad leaked caatloatly areitod tn, hel, 
aa^fMT At Bigr eyatcaBM trace, I cobM not behold a haman Meg. I iMiMd 
aleng at ftal at I caaMi an#at J did ta, the Ibooght oT Alfred hk^9g reffaMI, 
and haiag coafacd by the earl, eccapled my mind, and gaye rite ta a 



f««k*rt W MnikttKc MMfl. Codld *iM btti ^nio liit ^M*|«iBH(t; T "IMs 
MycoMactd timt lie if«tfld let do «f)in n^iln antried to fifl ibe tt Us 
V^iMr^atod It3«rw^nMlir«d,'iit' o^^ htfsai^ wft«fl'tibxt> ir» tttt» if W«^w«(^ 
¥fr ^ ttk imi to <• t0 af aIb, tlHrtl vNMtili^oMemtat oiee t*t«cMle%li'Mfe, 
tfiT^Mi M»JI«r tll« odiMk detlfO «r bii fluher «b«Hife. BtH wlRif^ iMkt 
ho eoaiaed I Asd wevNI net tlie Mrt ow otorj ^caMibft m mr to^r^Wfr 
•i^MMiproll (be pbrt of liord Alfred to Ofcepo conpletoly ftitile ?- TboM 
ttoagbtt^feiado me* wretched, bed I wtts flad irlieii the eonfent of 9t. A^Atba 
ml^p^&fdtB 4|ht, fbr I iMo ^nite efthauited with thiDhle|r» «itd the aomilal 
■ wdmmou t'aiid fetifae I btd nedereoee. 

** I epproecbed the gate of the holy boildiof , trenblinfr, for I wai doubVfM 
oNbo^ vweptiott we mifht meet with, my oaly reiiaece beiaf that it was the 
tame Ladj Abbett who fMrmerly heloaged to it, and who bad bt^o the early 
IMeod'^my^poor mother. 1 knoelied loodly at the door, and it w«t several 
MhivtMl befbrw- 1 reeeifod any aoewer. At length a harph, qaereloAv t4itt 
•— liiiil) ia the mmm of tho Holy Virgia* Wbo it wai kMeking at that late 
hMf t mi adml wat tho aatnre of my bmiBeea i I iaformed the pottefeirCfi^ 
•&1 dl ap of e i ed my interrogator wat afterwarda), and eafnlred Whether fh^ 
^t^ omlhmr, Saiat Agnet, wat ttill the lady abbett ? . u^ 

* ^M Tdt, daaghter,' aatwoMd the old woman, *^tbe bletted Vlrgiir be prabeii 
tho ii; what wouldst thoa with her ?* 

'* * I pray thee taform her that the Lady Blaiicbe teekt her pro^eetioD,' 
aatwered I, * and requeitt a few miootca conrefee itkb her, «hat '4W' kmf 
eaplala ibe caase of her being prompted to toch a ttep.* 
ci^ tXamy tbo« here, daaghter, for alow atoneolt,* taidtbehae l e il portttM', 
* «fli I will attend to thy rtqoett.* - > ^ 

*^ Jiaviag that tpolia, I beard her depart ; and while the wa^ foM laf 
aM(iot9r>and impatienco beeaaa almott inaopportable. At length thelreterdM^ 
opened the galet to me, and after aoraliniBiag me minatelyi datind ^t « 
9%lk It, and tbo woald cooduet ate to the abbeta* - t .^ > . 

'<Tbe old woman condaeted me to the raftato^y, in.wbleb the holy tbbeia 
wat tented, and who arote on my entraace, and receiired mrmoac conrtaomiy; 
She wat a veaerablo woman, of the motl adid aad uariabiaaapect^aid de- 
meaoow, and freqaeatly had I beard my father tpaak in the higbett m w B ifd f 
praiteofbar« irffaot, they bad been at one peaiod eg tho moat teHatalatatma; 

V ' Are than Biaache Da Blortbaei* I- bi[4|ai»«d the boly^momas, oyeldg lAe 
Wi4^jB9€bi«terett« ... ^ ^ . * ,.; -• • ■ .-^ h! , .- -.^- r^T'^ h*4 ; 

..f'^fepHediothaaflifmatiTe* ' ^ ' ..;•> ^„* .m n^ntfts Qo^-n \) 

•« « Bat I needed not to aik the qaettion,' the ablittb iilmmiad) ^tlbrtihy- 
liintiiM Ml t^fftogly ^ reiMMe ttbqpa- of ibp- paibar* ^ANblmtafcrtbnnili dbd 
MlMM^ftttf^iilltl* dldlemr^iiilicipiiietJiat ll^it -wanM|h bnfde bmmrdh» 
^f^fk^ft «WM^f4. He»fe» paadoa the»lf Bt^ iN» ibonld ■ imaa flmri ib l i 
fi||llJD^4oi th^« 4aq^^r?-^WbrtbiMinttetiagonf ogamlbiBmbaartjAiwibr 
e^^pff^filyi^paienl,; errara, tbatl tipcarelybaipMibenmayattihveidJ' i« v^ '^ 
^ ",iTf^ |tnf{«^ tp my eyet at the ^Ubbeitibat uncalled iwAirB^P^ ^^ 



176 EENNCflTINS OR I^ACY ; Olt^ 

afiMiidiii: MCdlltcCloa at my iMtlieffV fiilt, and Ui* UnUi oi$kime naalltd 
la Bj oksek^ 

^ « If afg «y 4fti|fktet»' raaiMrUi Ikv goo4 abbatt, oociciof. «f amatiMt 
* I SMaaiaat to afliot Hm^, cUUL Sayt why coneti thoa hitbari aad at' lU» 
atWHiMi haur o| tba aiffct?' 

' •• « Qao4 BiAtkar,' I aif IM, < I coiaa la atk thy proimsUon, aadcif thua diMl 
rataa ma, 1 aai iMt' 

«" Ah! what BMaaeit thoa ?* daiiiaoda4 St. Agaaa/ aif Ufa thyaalf;' 

*' la as fair wanU aa poaiihls» 1 toM her tha traatataot I ha4 racalaadfroai 
the aarJ, aad tha fata with which ha tbcaatoaad aw, and the UHaBa4 wiih tha 
diafiit ialaaat^ aad with evidast dii^Ml at tha eaadact af lay foardlaa. 
Wbaa 1 iafoffaMd her ahoat tha will which tha aarl stated ta ha tha dacaaiaat 
of my lata ftAut$ she saamad gsaatly astehishad* aard reaiaiaad atlam for a 
law ateilaa apparaatly nuainatiaf apoa It ; at kag ih aha said,— 

«**Thla laaBMBot Uha tha coadact af tha good Sir WiUa«^ihfi—t caaMt 
balltfa it; aaiia haas deeapiioahaa heaa praeiiied a|»oft.thea, da.Uilhlar« I 
aaiaCraU, whith Uaavaa, ia Ito awa wisdaVf will aUlnaMely aaniraL la 
ths Biaaatjaa thaa i»ast not Cill a TiaiiM to tha earl, whan thoa sayest; thoa 
eaaat aot lova. I was tha aatly frfaad of thiaa aafortaaata iDoihar« aad 
fiaaUy es«aaBMd thy lata flithar for hit aaaiaroaa aaiiaMa ^aalitiaf, aad 
all tha protection which I can afford thca, In the nana of tha Virgio»ilkMi 
art welcaaM to.* 

>* • Gaad, kind mother/ 1 exdaiaied, * how can I saffciaoUj fipraaa sty 
gratitada for this }* 

•' « N« ihMdtf^ daaghtar,* lataraad the Lady Ahheasi * that which I have 
proaiised thaa. Is no aiora than a Christiaa daty wa owe to each other. Ba 
tha aarl b ala g ihy § aardiaa, caa demand thy restoration to him* should 
ba laasa whara thoa art* I have ao power to detoin thee ; all» tbarefQre> that 
wa aan da ia, to eadaavonr to beep the pUce af thy retreat as aacret aa 
pamlbla, aatll clrcuaistaoces may occar wUch will leave Ihae ae bafw 
aayaaaaa to draaA Urn. Bat, mark bm» I caanat allow thee to semaia bsra, 
aniam tbaa daat coaaaai to eaUr o» thy aovickto, althoagh thaa caast at the 
espiiBlien ^ that time, asa tMaa owa will whether or not thaa wilt take tha 

«^ Afato I tbaalMd tha ab bam far her kiadaasa, and after some little farther 
caiffjisatiaa aiaa tiapar tsar e» aba coodaaled ma to a call, where sbe gave to 
am bar blaariag , aad f altted am for the aigbt. 

** I aaad aet eater toto the particolars of all that occarrad to ma at the 
I laUfi it to aay , that I caaipUad with tbs re^aast of tha abbam, aad 
aa my aavleiatay baiag alto resolvad rathar to pam my days ia 

Elaiia», thaa to yiaM to tha wlahea af the eari. 

> ^ Mf tbaaghiBmaca» baffarar,coBitaetly iiad apoo Alfred, am) tha aacar^ 

«aiatyH»f kia into i^ ma daoMy wretched. Probably the eari, wbmi ha 

foaadtbat I bad ani^iit him, poald wreak hia reagaaace aa hia sea, aad at 

tha praaaat tiaae ha mi^ be eadvriag tha greatest saflVrings. Theie tboOghts 



TUB ROBBBR'h muNDMNO. 



■ var; in h ri>> U i ud Iba norc m ■■ I bad iwt Ihi mBa»af ifeMln. 
log may ^orpwdea t«M*nUifl Uah ud ba waiild ba is iIm m»t lUla of 
Baeertaiol J M rmarded M- IcoaU catilj plocara lo aijaelf the ■ogaMba 
«ai cadoriiVi daprivcd as ba «■■ ofifea naaoa of rankrl^ m» aaj aHhr- 
aaea uri protactian, at ■ Ilea* wbea b« wonld be certaia 1 «o aaob aapM 
bMb, 1 coDld hi*a bean coaleni id intbr macb Bwra nrtalf, cattle 1 baf« 
ben eertaia ibai he wai al Ubarljr | aad Kelt aNurad wat I, IbM If ba bad 
been fraa.ba woald aet ra«t nglil be had toaa* oot thepkcaef bj n|r««l, 
and placed ne anr of tbe poirar of Ibe earl, bti fariMr, by waUnr ■■ bip 

" Tbe sbbaM aad moat of (be ■■■» treated ma wltb graal klndoan i bal 
Ibere waaoae to nboiii I famed « ilroDf avanioa flnam (ba tnt mam n t I 
bcbaU bar. Tbb nao »ai called Slilar Benba. Sba m* • we*aaaf abaul 
Ibfty, af tbe meat auttare aod rapnlslTe auMwn, aod a haith forblddtog 
conateDaace, 8ba appaand to ba BwoiDan,ha«e«er,gf (banaat aKaoplarj 
platy, for aeiia ware mora nvere in tbeir paoaDcai, or *o«rkt badbariai'to 
tW diiclpliM ortha eooTaai. 

" I coald aaver look apon thia woouo wftboat aa fatvotaalarj ri^ddar,. 
BDd''I abanaed her prcaeaee aa nurb aa paadbia ; lor, la aplta of all bar 
apparent taactily, I ImKflDed I coald aee tbe hjpocitte tarklac Iwoaatb. . I 
Ibaafbl ibe f laired ■« wKh aa ejo of Jesleaiy, eapedaUy (rbaa aba <a» 

Ha. n 



}Jg BBNNBtTINB DB LACT ; OK, 

*• ftivdwr With whteh I wai treated by the ebheie, «■« I hft4 ne taiht I 
fenoM a jut eooctpUn ef her feellBgt. 

<'8tater Bertha was eYMeottj moie dieadtod than e Heca ed hy the piete 
ilrterheedf and there were naay who aeeMed to doaht her daeerlty, allho«||h 
they feared to giTe ettereaee to their real opiniooi. 

**"NotwithetaodiBf that I ihanBed thie wowmui at aiach at peirihle, ihe 
wovld at tinee foree her company npon lae, and ■ eem e d to tahe a eecrcl 
pleaeare hi throwing oat hMtoaatioae at every opporlaaity, that wete eal- 
cnlatcd to imolt and annoy me ; bat I tool^ no notice of tiwfli, and coald 
wot laagine why the thoold treat mo ee, at I had noYor given her any caote 
for each behavioar* 

^ I luid now lieen an Inmate of the convent for ahont two monthly and had 
heard nothing of the earl or my lover. A eettled melencholy had tahea 
pettett l on of my mind, which the dnU monotony of a convent wee by no meant 
calenUited to banith. The good abbett tried aU that wae in her power lo con- 
•ele HM« and toaght to remove all worldly thoogbte from my fiMnd, and to 
draw my attention to religion i bat bow wat it likely that I could forget my 
lovary or coald listen to anything of the kind with any degree of patieAee» 
while I wat la tacb a ttate of oncertainty ee to the Ihte which had Irefallta 
hha }— It wat midn e m to toppote each a thing. 

' ** One oveahig after I bad qnitted the abbem, who had held tM for tome 
tinM in eonvenationt I wat about to retire to my humble pallet* when I was 
aroated by hearing a knock at the doer of my cell» and upon opening it, I wat 
neta little aatoidthcd at beholding SUter Bertha. 

*** The abbem withet to tee ihee immediately** tald the nun, lookfaig at me 
with a diaagreeablo ezpreationf and tpeahiag ia an aathoritative tone. 

*** The abbemr I repeated, with ■urprlie i * why, I have bat Jntt left her.* 

«** That mattert not,* replied the nan, • It it her will that then attendett her 
now.* 

** • Where thaU I find her V I atked. 

'< * I will lead thee to her/ aotwered Sitter Bertha. 

<* Wottderhig what the abbett could want, and flbeling rather doubtful of 
Bevthut but yet afraid to ditobex her, I followed her from my cell, and the 
took the way towardt the chapel. When we had reached that tacred part of 
the bnilding, I looked aroandy but could not tee any one In the place i bat 
gaiiag towardt the altar, by the ligbtt which continually butned upon it» I 
inrngined I beheld a dark thadowy form anddenly gliding patt one end of it, 
but it vrat gone to quickly that I could aot dittingulab of what deicrlptloB it 
wat. A fteling of apprehentlon came over me, and I paaied. 

•« • Whither wouldat thou lead me V I demanded of the nun $ * where it the 
lady abbem ?' 

«* ' Thou teett the it not here/ replied the nan, in hanh, ditagreeaUe 
tenet; ' but, cotte, thou mutt not hefiUte,but follow me.— This way,— Ihit 
way.' 

^ At ^ Bin tpoke, the placed her hand on my arm, In a peremptory ama- 



THB BOBBSB's FOUNDLINO. 179 

fctiy—iihitrt f&n^i BM oftward. 81m U4 te mmj towwdt th« altar, ia tha 
ilda of fvUdi I feoad a law troa doar itaadiaff apaa* aad wUck ra va aled a fligkC 
afavrav mufmf sa. Hm racolWaliaa of Iba ibadawj forai I lawigiind I 
kad MM Bol a ailBaia h^Un dartad apM my ■ ta n ry» aod a MaMtiaa af 
draad took poMe wt oa of mb, Bartka okMrvad my amo«ioa» aad MMttd ta 
aaalt la U* flha Iwld tba lamp tlw cafriad above bar hMd, aad tlma tald 
ma io p f oeodt km dowa tba ttept. 

«« « Afate I doflia thM to taU ma wUtMr wa af* fiiaff/ I rtiwaaiii ?^ 
«wbltbM do tiMM ftept laadta}' 

•« « Tboa'H mo/ aanrand Iha bm, ImpatiMtfjt * bat» coma, aa fcmitatiM, 
tim abbam will grow aagr j al tba dalay.' 

** * Saialy tba baly matbcr balb cbaMa a ttraage placo Hr tba BMatlag/ 
Hid I. ' Wbat can iba bava to aommaidcaia wbkb raqaim m 
Mcmy}* 

*««I did aat adL bm*,' rotaraad Stomr Bartba t 'bat, doabHom, it it 
AiSf of tba grMtatt impormaca, aad wblcb bamtdiatajy ccaeaiM tboa. 
Caaw, girl, tboa tirait mj patleaca. I^tcead tfeam itapt ; I will bold tba 
iMip M tbat tbaa MMt act mitt tby footlag, Md tbta I will Immodiattly 
MaiwthM.* 

** I obajadi— la ftict, I was ilVald U do otbarwlie, Md havlag dccctadod 
m?aial ttvpt, I lookad book to te« wbetber tba aaa was fbnowfag ma. At 
Aat m am e at rim ta dd ta ly elated the door tboro mo, aad I wat la^alvad la 
camplata dmrkaeft. Directly afterwardt I foaad myeelf talved raagbly by 
two penoBi, aod wat barrled akmg a Mrrew aad dttaml M b te i ti a aaM pat- 



•< I tmaamed alaad aad called for balp i batoaeoftbe 
me to tOeace oa tbe pala of iattaat deatb % aad aot deebtbig bat tbat tbey 
woald pat tUe tbrMt lato etecatloa, I tald ao more, bat maatally iavoklag 
tbe protectloa of Hmtco I taffered tbem to proceed witb aw. 

** TUt rabterraaeoat pamage wat of great leagtb, Md wbM we bad cotoe 
to tbe ead ef it, we eawrged into a biad of a caTora, aad atceadiag tome 
reagb bewa ttept, a tecret door wu tbrowa opea (wblcb I ftaad to bo 
Ibramd la tbe bage traab of m old oakr tree), Md I law we were la tba 
Alckett of tbe Ibrett. Here two bortet were la wattlag, apra om of wblcb 1 
WM placed la froat of om of tbe ama wbo bad eeiaed am, aad tba otbar 
btTbig moMted hit tteed, tbey clapped tbeir tpvrt la tbeir tIdM, aad wa 
weat aloag witb tbe greatett rapidity. 

** It b tarpritlBg bow I retaiaed my teatet, after betog tbat telaed, aad 
dadlag mytelf la tba power ef raffMt, wboie irery lookt were lafidrat le 
ezcHe Ibe ataiott terror la tbe breaitt ef tboee wbo beheld 6mm f aad tbe 
tpeed witb wbkb we were traTelllag, wat eaeagh to ttke my breath awey. 
Te olbr eay retlttaace to the two mea, I felt cooTioced woald baTO bMa 
complbtely atelem ; and to tcream for help la a piece where we teemed ta 
be tbe oaly iadhidMlt, woald btve beea eqoally fbtlle | amraover, It adgbt 
ealy esatperate tbem to coomit team detperate deed, wbldb tbey woald pfa- 



180 fiftWNBSVINB DJB bAOV ; <»> 

«Im IMB wei« eiH^09F#i ky ibi Murlt «liQ« iMivkf fiMid Mtike plsM ar'ti^ 
cooe««l«iMit, taMli wHii te ■ ■rf UM ta oT Sialnr Bert]u^*thM ftl nt-iate 
|K»v«r«ftiB. nu idea was tarilUft MMt^ IvrlcMldl Mt 4MiHk«ttel 
tJM Mii, (• pftvant «U y a w l M tf t y «f Us bdAf l«Uad agaia^ mj aiaal&«ta^ 
Moapa^ waild aotaoly im Iba awtt pfaaqpt lastiarai of iaMMktalji wftwijig 
me 10 a campliaaca with hii batad wiibM, bat alto lalto caao afltrvarda la 
kcap aw aeciirely cooAaad Idt tba imkom* I tbanijit apoa laoklqf mmt aac* 
rowly iato tba faatarctof tbe roifiaot that I bad tota 4ba« baftM»» aad bad» 
I bo n e f offe, oot 4be loait doobc bat tbat Ibay vara Iba lagalararcaliifaaaf aij 
persecutor, and tbat I had toon them at tba cattle* 

" The wood mat af aati eataott aad a ttnible giaawf laafciac plM»» flare 
tmj crime of horror might hate beea perpetialtd» witbaat aay fcar of iaiar* 
ruptioa aad detectioa. They took, bewcTer, a coatrary divectioa to tbat 
wibidi led to the cattlaof the aari, inm irideb I had to moaaUy 9m4» etf 
atcapei audit was t bttt f tft^ qailt atideat tbaiU pattbek ia ta j tWi jie e—* 
fiey me Ui tomo other place, aad oMMt Uhely firoo^ wUcb tboit waiUd aot ha 
the least ohaaco of my efleetiog my Uberatioa* We oimtioaad lo travel viib 
uaabated fpeed for two houri, daHog which thno wo did aot aneet with 
a iiioglo haman beiai^ aad imitber did the leait eigas ef a bablfatiaa aaeot aar 
S«ze. How my btaist ttab witbia am whoa I faHoctad aa tbe boftart of aiy 
tiioatipD, tod the aacertalaty af tbe fata tbat waiiotiava for tM. M^ bttt w 
tweUed, too» with djiptit aad ladigaatlon, whta I rtplatted aa tba trtttbt wnt 
caadau of Siater Bertba; aad I watat^^ totato ooaceiro whp abetlmald ba«e 
imhihed tach aa erideot eamity towards oae who wtta perfect ttrftagtr to bar^ 
aad who had oeYor, lobar fceowlodge, ttaa bar bafioia they metal iba coaveal. 

'" Tba honet htlag oow alauist jadedi aai as ate weae la a mail mtlnd 
4PQt, it waa agreed betweea tbe two mffiaat that we shoald pwme awbtfa to 
rest oorseWes i aad haviM ditoioanced, they sealed t be am o ifes oo tba gWii 
oaa oo each side of aie — toob Ibrth tooie refresbomat tram a wailal tb^y bad 
broaght with them, aod re^ oei^ed aie to partake with them. Tbifc bovaTOr, 
I, of coarse, docUaed. for mj heart was too fall to saffer me to thlak^aboal 
aatiagi aad, with tearful eyet, I supplioated them to have jpilj-oa wm» aad 
10 iaIisQa Af whilber tbty were tf kiog me, aad hy whose e r da w Ibejr bad 
mAt^dite. 

** * Why,' replied ooe of the aieo, ' I do oot sae tbat we baao aB^ jreataa ta 
coBceal tbe troth, hecaate thoa wilt TCiy tooa luow all ; we ha? a acted 1^ 
tbe orden of the Earl Harliiy^woody to he tore t aod thoa amyetl aiabe.ap 
Ihy miad^ y^uiag l^y» that thoa wilt not esoape freai hima tecaod time.* 

'**£scapfr quoth the other rulUni 'if the Udy wif Bota£»ol»aieibiakt 
tbe voaid apt afaat to escape, whea the earl hath made her taoh a aoble offer « 
But these fine fienaUof Mva sacb atrawge notioa** aad If tbty were, not to show 
a little custoBiary oppetitioa, they woald, doubtless, be considered very aa- 
/psbioufhle. There was aoae of that nonsepte io the courtship ef aie and my 
. Mabel i we had aot knowa oae another muavf houn before we £sli desperately 



THS mOBBBB's FOmiBLINO* ISl 



iiita»<t*Mlifl>»— th e f tM ntost diy I p*pt iW ^■■HUb riw MMit«<l, nrf 
ki iMt «lMi a moalk ftflvr oar lint nMting, we m^nwmttmd wifo/ 

^•ABiiMlMitii^r, IM, Hogo/ retmed tlw irittp«iiwr,irllkAltiigb{ 
l>#f iwnMrt ^i g lwia Wy tMke itort tofingt. A«d u inr a woohhi Mteg lo 
■— hwaiiiil) aMlMtet whaa wcMl, nuk, aad a iMe, li afbrad to ilMa, I 
vBI iMila«Ma If «oapfeto aontna. Bat eottia, te flaik it anpty, aod lis 
tinw dniWB eo apace« If w« dilay bmcIi laagar ibe aarl wlU befla to § raw 
iB iy a ttoa t ^ and laiaftos toal w%bafa MM ia a*r plat.' 

***0U, oo, kit tordiMf kaawt at lod Wall to thiak tack a tkiaf attkat,* 
i t toiiii i Saga. *Sa caairatt at^aaitkat'tMarttiittkacoaMtayofttMa 
ke kalk gat akaat blia. Hawa^ar, at oar kartet team to ka t ai a w k at ra. 
iptdbaiy and it waiaik toia» at tkaa aayatH H waaHl ka at wall for atto lataaw 
aaaJoi Btj f.* 

** All kape for ne wat now at aa and, aad to czpottalate witk tack' kaart« 
Itit faMtaij waaM kava-kaaa a aattplato watto of tiae. I tlgkad dtaplj ai 
tkay tiHtlii im agato aatotktkartt, aad kaflag tk fi tt i T ct rMaaaatedto 
Ika tttaa^aaaatr at kalbrt, wa lataaitd oar joaniay at ika taae rapid paca 
wa kad praviaatly goaa. 

** At te ag tk wa cBMrgad frooi tka waod^ aad antartd apaa aa open obam- 
paiga t a aalij fy i%ktad ky tka tayt of dM tMoa« wUck now paapad fortk fi'oai 
kakfaid tka murky cloadt tkat kad befara obtcartd it, aad gvaatly aallvantd 
tiia aotaa. Aftar praott dia g for tomt dit tt a c a ia tka taaia OMoiaar, toddtaly 
I Ikaag k t 1 kaard ?afaaaaad Ika taawiaf kttaaif kaaft kakiadat^ Atatad- 
diB rap «f kopa iaikiid acratt aiy ndad^ I t ora ad aiy ktad taaad, and kebeld 
faar bmo, noaafad on float ttaedt, who appaafcd to ka to kat partalt of at ; 
aad ika atat Moaaat I plakriy ktard aaa of tkam oaH to Ike tw raflUat wko 
waw k a w to g tto away, to a coa i ai adto g toae, to ttap. Haw aiy ktart Itaped 
witkiitiaii h tii at » anxiety, tad kape, aad I tMataily pnqrad la BaaToa tkat 
t|M paaaertadlgkt raaHy torn aat to ka ny fHeadt, and ka aaabled to letcaa 
aM^ftaiv tka iwa mBaat. 

** * By tka Matt, wa art pait at J i Haga I* exelaiaMd oat af tkt man, wko 
kad kikald tka tor kortaBMn at ika taaMtlsatkat Idid;^«coafMoai wko 
tkt daaUaaalktiakar 

«* «01ap^ tpara iato Ay coartor't tbitok%* rapiitd tka awa wko had baea 
tddratted^i * tke oddt atfa M^iatt a a aw ay» away« Ika tapaitor fleatnatt af 
atr ttoadt nay aaakto at to oattlrip Ikem.' 

*«tnMTaBaadid«tkk wat dtoirtd^ and away flew tkt two tttadt wilk tka 
^aadof tka Hgktoiag^t flatk» aad Ibr a tkoH titw tkraataaiag to pat partalt 
at deflaaoa. I aai tare I need aot attenpt to da icr lkt to iImo, Ikir lady, my 
totliagi at tkitamaaat— tka alteraallaa kopat and Ikart wUck tpraag ap to 
my katoas otpaeiaUy wkta I toakad kack tad, at waU at tka light of tka maoa 
waaldfitrtilttkakaldtba ditlaant tkt partaert wtta ktUad at. « %aVTtr ax- 
perieacad tack tgoalstog tftattiitai katora, aad kad it aat bait tor ika 
raBaa wha rode the ttma karta an wtoek I wat ptoeed, I matt kave toUea to 
tka aarlk. Wko tka paiaacrt caald be, I coald aat farm tay ce^factore, 



1S2 BBNNMriKB DC LAOT ; Qfty 



and, imfIm^ ftileff aU, fkey n%lK ten •aC to N ■■awtog toilaai of ^ 
frien^i. 

%** At iMflliy iiowfT»— rho r iei Mif MhaMtoi by th« ■■■■■I tijiHtai 
(Imj hftd nmlerfaiiey ihickMe^ HMr ptse, aM cmiM Mi h% oifed fiMrnttrdal* 
fiiftMr ffate» bj all that Ibe anta coaM dol|r tba appUcalton of thak apara* 
The canaa and impracatloBt of tha raflani, wbM tbay fooad thlty and tbat Iba 
port aen wara CmU faiatof apon oi^ wora bandble to beac 

«' « It'f oMlatt, Bago,' said bb coanpadao i— ^ tba faaa i» ap t*-4bata 
fooadod aaiiMk aro coaiplataly Jadad» aad It bnadaaM for aa to tbiak wa 
oatttrip tba foUowi. Howovar,ltlaBat tba firaltlBa wabata Udio 
with freator adda tban thlt» aad wa will nat rallaqalih oar priaa wl tb ai t m 
aavaiaatnifKlab Gaard waU Iba ladj» traat to tby faod atoal, aad a Ntalato 
ara, aad I do oat yet datpair of bataf able to aiaka tbaia aaa ropaal their 
dabigt.' 

^Havtofc tbaa tpokaa» tba two ■iicwaati proparad datpaimtoly lor Am 
oaaibatt aad awaited tor the panaan to cohm op. Tbia war qatobly daot^ 
aad ifatblff ap to tbooiy tbo fo r taia rt obo» to a coiamandtof votoa« a>* 

olaimadr- 

•• ' Roleaw tbat lady, villaiaa! whom it to oTldont ye dotato agalnrt her 
wiUr^folaata ber, I lay, or, by Satoi GaarfOf we will claa?e ya to tba 
earth r 

*«No aooBcr did I bear tba toaea— tbo welMioowa tooet of ttot fofee, than 
1 aeraamad atoad with attonithaiant aad overwhetoU^ joy, and dai p a tat at y 
apriagtof froai the bold of the roftaa, I threw myKlf dalirtontly iato tba anna 
of Lord Alftod Harltogwood 1 

«* Yea, k wai aiy lover I who baviaf eacapod froai the coninenMot to 
which Ml IbthMT had to tyi«aBicaUyandaiioMtlyheldhba,hadafvlfadat that 
critioal Janetara, to letcaa bm from tha banda of my enoaitot. OforeaaM 
with the power of way foeUagi at IMs anezpoetad iQrptite» I toinlad» and va- 
membtr ao awre aatll I recovered my ■enMa» aad foand aiyielf to Iba partoar 
of a cottage^ attondad i^en by acleaa aad ktod*lookiag toiaatoy aad with Lord 
Alfred haagiagaffscttonatoly aver bm* The two raftans wbo had aetoad aa 
and borne no away from the convent of St. Agathat were toll dead apan tba 
fpet where they bad eneoan tor ed Lord Alfred aad Ui compantont* aad tha 
totter hnd afterwards connoyod me to the eottoge I was thea to, and whiob 
belonged to the mother of one of my lover's retataerSi Words cannst do 
adeqaito jasttoe to the transpoHof ear tooHags at this anex pentad toaottog, 
aad for awhUe we garve free todnlgeaoe to them, and retnmed onr thanks to 
the Ahaigbty for His gwadaasi. 

" My disgast exceeded all boandt wbea I heard from the lips of my tover 
the nmmtoral behavloor ho had etpertonced from his fother, aad his rage and 
indignatkp exceeded ndne even, when be was auide acqaatoted with the eraelty 
of the earl"s coadact towards me. Bat now that we had both b4en restored to 
one aaothsr, we determiaed tbat death sboaM aleoe separate at. I ranmlnad 
for the present at the eottoge of old Beatrice, aad to three days afterwaris 



TAB BOBBBR's POVNDLl^HI. 18S 

Lord k\(H4 M ■• pritrntolj to te altar, where I bacflne fcb brMa. WImb 
tiM oercBoay was eaaiplatad we rtliied to a dittaat ettotoy wUch Lard Alfred 
pewewfd from Aelttiois wkara we re«ol?ed to reaMla aatil we eoald either 
brfanr whom a rtcoBcUiatloa wtlh the earl, or I eoald ohtala tome latiiAictorjr 
eettleamit aboat the docameat which the earl porported to he the will of 

■ 

m J late (hther. 

** The rage of Earl Harllafwood, whea he heard what had takea place, 
arae that of the enfarlated tiger, aad for fome dajft he did nothia^ot ra^e and 
tteriBy aad ioTohe oanef apoa oar heade* He eapreaed hie detenaioatioB to 
keep the whole of ny pvoperty, which had beea eatrasted to hii care, aad 
Hkewiee to disiaherit hie eoa. la additioa to thi^ he declared that he woald 
aal reit aattt he had anply graliied that reveafo which the dreinniaocee 
I have beett descrlhlaf had excited la hit miad. Wo paid bat little attontloa 
to theee threats at the time, thiakiag that whea hb panioa had lobildod 
be woald reknt, aad ferfot the part; bat It wae aot loaf ere we were too 
wall eeBflaced that we were wroof. The Earl Harllaprood contrived, 
throafh the ageacy of aadther aoblemaa, who was aader great obllgatloos to 
him, to accBse his son of some oflhace agaiost the state, to his sovcrelgo ; la 
ceaeeqaeace of which, his estates were coofiseated, and my haiband outlawed. 
It wae with heavy hearts we wore forced to qolt the castle of which we had 
beea so aqjastly deprived i and deprived of fortaao, weat forth as wanderers 
la the wide world, totally aaooascioas what coarse we shoald porsne. But 
yet, aaUdst all oar troables, we were supported by the eoasolatioa of iiBowing 
that oar love for each other eoald sufler no ahatemeat, and with the hope 
that, however gloomy oar preceat prospects might appear, probably the time 
was not for distant whea we shealdAs rattoiad to happinesB,and those rights, 
srUch had been so aalawfolly tMB foom as. Maay troables aiaay severe 
tftale, however, were wo doe s sed to a a de rg e, which I will not delaiB thee by 
detailingt tboa m a yse t be oeHaia, foir Lady Maifaeriia, that it mael hava 
bean syaisthinf very severe that eo ald hava iadaeed a aablemao ef the ex* 
esiplary characlmr which I have only jastly described my hanhani to be, to 
becoma the eampaaioa of ^robbers. Aaddeat, as I have before etated, la- 
tradaaed as to Osmond and his gang, from whom we hava ezparleneed SBora 
khsdnoss than we did from the inheMtoats of the world. Lady, way atory is 
at an end, and I caa bat thanfc thee for tlm patienee with which tboa hast 
Usteaed to ow.'* 

Thas Blanche concladed her rather-loag aad raamntie narrative, with which 
Lady Margaeiito expressed herself deeply interested, aad sympathized with 
ihe narrator in the many misfortaaes her and her husband had encountered. 



184 . ERKNCSTmB DB LAOY ; OK> 



CHAPTER XVII. > A 

" BrUig all yow force to bcar» 
Ofttber the bravest from yoar raoki, 
A martial host combined, 
^ I laugh your power to scora ; 

Here win I stand, and with my iMrdy ftillewerty 
Bid yoar utmoat powor deteact !'* 

Tbb Bsvbhos or R4»ixmlhiin. 

** Thou basi indeed mflHered noch In the school of adwnlty/' fbsfp^d Li^dy 
Marguerite, when Blanche had ftnisbed her story, ** and hath but Htt|e caipse to 
Uke the world or ito inmates. Bot is the earl ttili aliye ?'* 

** He to," answered Blanche, <' and hizariating in that wealth he bath so on- 
JBSIly depriTcd me and bis son of." 

*' Thoa hast my compassion, Blanche^" observed Lady Margaerite, ** and I 
trust thou wilt believe me to be sincere when I malte that assertion. Bot, alas ! 
my own misfortanes render roe wretched, and the uncertainty of the actual pur- 
pose for which I am brought hither, and the dreadful anguish which my mother 
and my brother will endure at my mysterious disappearance, completely dUtract 
me* Tlie words of Osmond, and which cast aspersions on the diaraeter of Lord 
Raymond, my brother, spoke a feeling of malignity and revenge towards htm, 
tiMt has filled me with dread, and the most coaflieting and onsattsfhctory oon* 
Jcctnres haunt my imaglnatloo." 

** If thy brother, kdy," retvmcd Bhwdie,— '< If Ihy brother hath fueorred Hie 
cnoilty of Osmond, I am eztremdy sorry far It, fur the robber-chief is a mmti 
hnplaeaUe foe. Bat I can answer that thon haat nothing to fear from Mm \ thoa 
Imattasiilred Mat wUh love, and If thon faadsl not etran, anth la the napMtht 
beara tow ards tha fnnale sear, that ha wwdd not harm Ibaa lor tha world*" 

« Bat Ife thoeateoed me,"^ aoU Lniy Mariocrile, <* ha hath UBtaAthatoBliOi 
I retam his halaiol passion^ I hafeevarythlBf to liear." 

** The Im pe ta ai i ty el his love nay have lad bla to make nse of ohaeraatioBS 
theft he did not neen*" i«niarl|«d Blanche; *• bat didst then not saf» that 
OsoMMid hod alao aasartd thee that thoa shonldst receive from him the moat 
prefoand reapeot and at ten ti on ^ and that he would forgive thy brother all the 
iojoriea he alleges he hath received from him. If thoa woaldst retnra his 
passion r 

** He did," answered Udy Margaerite, << but tbinkest then that I coold ever 
feel anything but hatred towards that lawless man, or that my brother would 
porehase his friendship at so dear a price ? As for hb threats, my brother iroald 
only laugh at them." 

** Did he know the power of Osmond, ha would not, methhiks, lady," said 
Blanche ; ** how tbinkest thou he hath been enabled to resist all the force of 
the law ?— Here, in our Impregnable hold, we have been able to bid defiance to 
all the power whidi hath at different times been sent agalntt us.— Resistance to 
the win of a man Hke Osmond, would be little better than madness/' 



OBBKR'a FOUNIILINO. 



** Alu '- wlist tlim wriU bcooBc of mc, «iih lo dinnial a proipeet ti ihii hc- 
fon met" (ighed Mirguerile; — " Ofa, BluLckc, luidj Ifaon or ihj hnibwd 
win uke eampHiiioii oa mt, sod endcaniar lo aMUl mi: loward* (vuIdi nrleiMd 
from thi* alirming (iiuaiioD ?" 

" Ladf Utrgacrite," frpU«(> BlaDcbe, ■' I hare bcfwe lolil ibee ibat I an tonj 
to »M ibce in t«cb a tliaativn, aail nittinf ly.Joylullf would I omIiI Itan weia it 
hi Df pofKT. Bnt ID what wajr tUukeit tbos t mlgbi ud ibre ?" 

" Bj •ppnilpg niT molker nbria 1 am caD&Ded," lud Ladjt Matgoeiiu, " so 
tbatibrj may adopt >o me plan or other to gala my iibeiUlon." 

'*'rb«ti> >et in my power, iMly, or ihat of piy bnibaod," Miorud Bbwcbe; 
" 1 ban bclora luld tbcc Utat we are all bonnd by a terrible oaib to be bdlbfnl 
to oar captaiD and each otlier, aod death ii ihe crrUin reward uf tbOM wbu 
brcxk tbM oatb. It iboa wouldat lake my advise, tboa woaldat oat appear m 
•Mite to the paialon of Otinoiid, ihia mifbl make bio le-i nigOBt Tor the fnUU' 
iDent of bi) wlihei, and Lbe delay wb[ch would tbni CDiDt, woDld aSiNd If 
opportilDiiy for aomethiBg lo octar to miorc ibee to tby triendt." 

" BJuKbe, caaii Ibou adtlla me to act ti.e hypocrite ?" drmajided Lady Mar- 
(Dcrile ; " how, liiinkni tbun Ibat I could (or a mameni, by aay brhSTUHir oa 
my pari, appear to cacuumge iheseniimenlsof arobbcr, auoaUaw, andanu- 
derer f " 

" Be caDtiooi, Mr larfy, I beg of Ibeei" said Blaucbe, " beware bow thoi 
apeakcit of Oamood, teit inou sbouldtt be OTcrlward, aiid eicile lita TengeaoM 
lowardi tbee. But i can duly appreciate (be fcvliugi that drew forth tboaeei- 
preuioDt, and I once mote tepeal ibat I linnrely tympaibiie witb ibce, bat It it 
out of my power or tl»t of Ulr'c, Diy huabai:d, lo aiaiat thee." 

No. 21 



166 BmNNBaTINB DB I.AOY ; OH, 

** Then 1 ka?e no hope bnl In t^ merdfnl Inttrpotition of l)eaYM»" ejaculAted 
Lady Margoerite, solemDlj; ''but beUe?e me, BlanctMy tlMl 1 do not Uaae 
thee ; ooder the drcnnittaooea Ihoa haH aeatloiied to me, thou hait ae ^wtr^ 
though I dunbt not. If tboa badit, thy will It good to serve me. Bot yet I 
caooot think that Osmond, when he sees the impossibility ofuaUag any Im- 
pression npoD my heart, will eontlnoe to persevere In his impor taalties ; ool- 
idthstaudiii^ his lawless profession, and the many crimes with which his «mh 
science Is probably loaded, he seems to me to possess a certida innate nobleness 
of feeling, which will not suffer him to proceed to extremis in a case whara a 
female Is concerned." 

** Thon dost him no more than justice, lady," observed BUnche ; '< Osmond, 
In spite of his character, the life he hath chosen, and his apparent callousness 
to the feeliogs of humanity, towards the female sex espedally, possesses a most 
noble and generous heart. And yet fiom all that 1 have heard, he bath had 
plenty of cause to make him hate them." 

** Hath then the robber-cblef been disappointed In love ?" enquired Lady 
Marguerite, her thoughts bdng for a minute or two withdrawn Irom her own 
misery. 

'* 1 do not think there is more than one individual, Udy, who is aoqoidnted 
with Osmond's hhrtoiy ;" remarked Blanche, in reply ; f< but I have reasons lo 
suspect that he hath received some heavy and lasting afflietion from the source lo 
which thon hast alluded." 

** He seems not of lowly bbrth," said Lady Marguerite. 

** No, lady, he Is not," answered Blanche, *' lllustrioas blood, 1 have always 
been given to understand, flows within his veins, and indeed his Unguage and 
manners confirm the same." 

** And Is Osmond his real name ?" 

'• It Is not ;" returned Blanche, ** but I know not what It Is." 

*' And why doth he call himself the Avenger ?" 

** Because, 1 have heard, that the person who was the cause of his misfisrtuoes 
and- subsequent degradation, still lives, and that he hath svrom to have ample 
retribution fbr the wrongs he is said to have done him.** 

** Holy Blary !" cried Lady Marguente, ** and he told me that my brother had 
been the bitterest foe he had ever known ; that from him he had to date his ruin 
—all hb iplsery— the many Utter pangs he had fbr years endured ; the curse of 
blighted hopes, ruined fortune, name, and high estate." 

** Ah, sayest dionso,hMly ?*' ^acnhited Blanche, " then thy brother must be the 
secret foe agafaist whom Osmond hath vowed a deadly vengeance." 

** impossible !" obser?od Lady Margoerlte, ** In what way could my brother 
ever have Injured him ; and In what manner could they have formerly been con- 
nected ?— Besides, they have often met, and yet they appeared not to recognise 
each other, and had Osmond been aniious to obtain revenge, if his power Is so 
^reat as thou bast stated, why did he not at onoe seek the gratification of the 
former ?" 

" it is no easy tuk, lady," answered Blanche, ** to divine at all times the 
motives which direct the actions of our captain, therefore. In that respect am I 
unable to answer thee. At any rate, Osmond hath offered thee the means of ob« 



. TH£ BOBBBB'b foundling. It7 

adBiog kif forilveiiesi lor tby brolhery and agaia 1 addie tbae aol to be toa 
Iw c dp lW te In rcjectiag ibe tame/' 

*< Thoa oamsdlest with a 9<wd taleot, f da beliata, Btaaebe," laid Lady Mar- 
gneriie, *' bal I am fearful, nay certain; ibal I iball not in this imtaaet be aUa 
la faHaw thy adfioe; in Awt, 1 consider thai It would be the freatesi lnH>radeiiee 
tena to appear to glte any enooaragenait to a passion it wonld be ottar^ ha- 
pasiible for bm eter to ?lew with any other lieefing than that of arersloo.'* 

** Welly Lady Margnerite^" remarked Blanche, ** of coarse Ihon kooweat besl, 
and I iinoefely hope that drcumstances 'nMqr not torn ont so bad as than dost 
apprehend. At any rate, 1 beg that thoa wilt endeavour to compose thyself, 
and while thou remidacst here, thou mayast depend opon my payiag thee every 
kind attentlan In my power." 

Lady Maigaerlte once BMre retamed her thanks to Blaache, and th^ then 
proceeded to eoaftrse apon other topics, on all of whidi the latter evinced a par- 
feet knowledge, and madi intelligence, and Lady MargoeHte became more prt- 
pcs seis e d In her ftnrour every minute* She regretted when the thaa arrived for 
them to separate for the night, and the Idea of being left alone In that strange 
place, surrounded by the lawless wretches that infested It, filled her mhid with 
twrar. All the horrors and dangers of her aitaation rushed to her mind with fall 
iMcr, and the frenzied state her mother and Lord Raymond would be la, caussd 
her more misery than anything she might have herself to undergo. But even 
more than all did the words- of Osmond, the robber-clilef, distract aad perplex 
her. The hatred and revenge he had expressed towards her brother could not 
be ralsanderHood, and when she compared these threats with the Unu Bbmche 
had BMde use of, a seatlBiaot of terror tooli possession of her fselings, wideh, 
in s|dte of all her eadeavonrs to the contrary, the found It Impossible to conquer. 
Could she but fiudsome means of making them aofuainted at Ibe castle of the 
danger in which she was pkiced, she could not help ihlnklng. In spite of Ibe asser- 
tions of Bhmehe In respect to the power of Oamoad, that Lord Raymond would, 
at the risk of his own life, find some means of rasaning her from the power of the 
fbrmer, and earnestly did she raise her sapplications towards heaven, that soma- 
thlog or the other might transpire to bslng about that which she desired. 

It was now getting very late, and Lady Marguerite, tired of thinking, and 
Mgued both In body and ndnd, fiwtened her room door, wfaieh was seearad 
by a boll lusMe as well as one out, and reihred to rest. 

' Notwithstanding the novelty of her sltaatloo, and the fsar.and amdety she was 
CBdurlBg,lt was not long ere Lady Marguerite fiell asleep, and she ifid not awake 
untH Sol had gilded the western hllla. She arose, and ahaosi imuMdlately after- 
wards a gentle tap at the room door aanounoad to her the arrival of fl lan ehe . 
Havtaig withdrawn the bolt, Blaacha entered the room, brlnghig In the morn- 
ing's repast, and expressed her pleasure al the composure which Lady MargnesHa 
disphiyed. Sleep had done much for her, and her mind wai considerably mof 
tranqaUHaed than it had been before, aad a Mat ray of hope glowed hi bar 
breast. 

*< I am ^ad indeed to see tiiee so much belter in appea r ance, dear lady,*' ob- 
served Blanche, '* and eoaraiend thee for it. It Is oselesa to give way to dcaptfr, 
urhich oaly anfits a person to encounter with firmnesa and rcaolalloB thai wMeh 



188 KRNNB8TINE DK LACY; OB, 

Ihcj maj hAvc ^ nndeigo* I wonld adfite tbee to prepwe lo meel OsoKwd, 
wbOy I bdiete, will deniMid an interview wltli thee pretently." t 

This information ftUed Lady Maifoetite with fear, and the expreiaed the tame 
io Blanche. 

« I again tell thee» lady," said the Utter, <«thatthoa b^t so caiee todrcad 
the appearance of Oimond ; bia gallantry to the feoMle sex is proverbial, and he 
ia iore to treat thee with marked distinction, since be hath avowed for thee 
an ardent affection." 

** Alal I*' exolaimed Lady Margoertte, *< have 1 not good cause to fear Jda^ 
after the threats of vengeance he hath held out against my brother ? Hath be 
not, also, expressed bis determination to force roe to become bis bride ^• A 
robber's bride; the bare thought is horrible. Can I either farget that lie was 
the man, by hia own admission, who assassinated the anfertonate prrsoas at the 
prison, to farther the escape of Godfrey de Lacy ? Oh, no ; when I think of the 
homan blood be hath shed, I cannot bear his same menttoaed without a ahudder 
of horror* and It seems to me to l>e impossible that be ooohl ever be the uaWo 
and virtoooa individual tboo woukist fiun make him appear to have been." 

**I have told thee the truth, lady, as 1 firmly believe," retomed Btanohe; 
**aod much as tbou art at preseat prejudiced against him, I do not doubt but 
that thou wilt, ere long, find bim to be all that I have stated." 

** 1 can find no excuse for bis baring torn me heartlessly from my home," 
remarked Lady Marguerite, ^ and endeavouring to torce me to blast my faaw# 
my happiness, and my prospects for ever, by an union with bim." 
* ** Certainly that was wrong," fmswered BUnche, <* and must have caused iby 
friends much anguish ; but then the riolence of the passion, he bath, I dare say, 
imbibed for thee, must plead his excuse. Bat, hark ! he approaches." 

As Blanche spoke> a trembling sensation came over Lady Marguerite, for she 
beard a heavy foot fall on the stairs which ascended to the room in whioh she 
was confined, and she bad not the least doubt but that it was Osmond. In 
another second, this suspicion was confirmed, for the cbamber-door was thrown 
open, and the robber-chief stood before her. 

He advanced towards lier with the same respectful demeanour which be bad 
displayed on their fir>t interriew, and having made a sign to BUinche to leave 
tlie room, he stood gaiing at her for a moment or two with looks of admlratioa, 
and Id ailenoe ; tlien eiideavoanog to take her band, he said in tones of mild- 



** Beauteous Lady Marguerite, 1 see that thou dost still riew me with looks of 
scorn and. repugnance, while, at the same time, my love for thee increases to 
such a degree* that methinks I could rather encoanter any fate, than resign the 
hope of making thee mine. Nay, da not torn from me with that look of abhoc- 
renoe ; I know thon wilt call me a robber, and marvel at my presamption in 
offering my vows to tbet. There was, however, a time when probably, even the 
high and noble Lady Marguerite St. Aswolph wonld not have thought herself dis* 
graced by bting wooed by he who now stands before her." 

** Hadst thou ever been what tbou wouldst foia boast," replied Lady Mar- 
gueritoa; *' thon couldst never hare acted as thdu hast done towards a de- 
fenceless female, by teariug her away from her home aad friends. But talk not 



THB ROBBBR's FOUNDLINO. 189 

to me of love; the nord from Upt like tbine is odioos. If Umo weeldst not 
meet with penlshmeol for the outrage of which thoo hast her a guilty, thoe wilt 
imnedtetely release me^ and soflipr me, aomolestcd, to retorn home." 

** 1 have before told thee, lady/' said Osmond, *' thet I bid defiance to all the 
foroe that can be sent against me. Many, ere bow, who have made the sttempt 
to oast me aad my breve fHlows from oar stronghold, have had to pay dearly 
for their mwrity, and so would it be if any further attempt shoeid be made. 
No, lady ; here thou must remain as long as it is my will to keep thee ; and 
as I have determined to make tbee my bride, the prospect of thy ddlveraoce 
is, indeed, very distant. But come, fair damsel, what is tbe use of tliis op- 
position ? Endcavoor to conquer this aversion, and to look upon me with esteem^ 
If tho« eansi not wiih lo>ve. Thou ma jest thiuk that a man, situated as I am, 
ceonot be sesdble to tbe tender sentiments i have avowed for thee ; but tbod 
wilt find me sinoere ; after what I have suffered, and the manner In which I have 
been served, I thought tbat 1 could never love again ; that the sentiment was 
banished entirely from my breast, and that venfeaoee held entire possession of 
its place ; but since 1 have beheld thee, beauteous Marguerite, I find that ! had 
deeelired myself, and that " 

<< Cease!" iaierropted Xady Margueiite, '* to this language I must not, I will 
not listen. A robber, an ooUaw, nay, a murderer.—^for didst thoo not confess 
thyself soom the trial of Godfrey de Lscy ? And thinkest thou tbat I can even 
esteem a man like thee ? Besides, hast thoo not confessed thine enmity towards 
my brother, end threatened him with thy vengeance ?** 

** Lady Marguerite, if thou didst know the cause I have had for this hatred, 
thou wouMst net orarveU It is to thy brother I am Indebted for all my misery 
and degradation ; aye, thou mayest start, but 1 speak only the troth !— It was 
Lord Raymond that blighted all my hopes ; it was Lord Raymond tbat led me 
on to ruin ; it was 'Lord Ravmnnd that made ifte what I am ;— a robber, an 
outlaw, and a murderer, ar thou hast Just called nie, and**— " 

** Oh, no, no, no,** intenropted Lady Marguerite, with much ensotiou, ** that 
cannot be; It Is impossible! my brother the cause of these misfortunes; these 
horrors;— thou must be mad to give utterance to such a thing; how, in what 
way ooold lie have been the cause?" 

^ If suits me not at present to infbrm tbee, lady," replied Osmond, *< but I tell 
thee again, that I have spoken the truth, and have not exaggerated. Oh, lady, 
tboo mayest think thy brother immacalate, but I tell thee, and good cause have 
I Ibr saying so, that he is an hypocrite, and ridily merits tbe retribution I have 
promised to bring upon bis head." 

*' I cannot, dare not believe what thou sayest," said Lady Marguerite ;-^* it 
can only be some base fabrication to frighten me Into a ooroplhmce with thy 
wishes. Didst thoo not tell me, robber, that one of thy principal motives tbir 
teurlog me away from my home, was to gra^fy those feclhigs of revenge thou 
sayest that L<ord Raymond hath ezdted within thee ?" 

** I confess," replied the robber-chief, ** tbat it was a feeling of revenge, which, 
at firtt, prindpidly induced me to bear tbee from the castle of St. Aswolph, 
but, afterwards, the power of thy charms completely subdued me, and what be- 
fore vras merely admiration, was heightened into the most ardent love. Lady, 



190 SBNNBBTINB DE LACT ; OB^ 

BMd I attempt to describe to tbee the povrer thy beaatf hatli over me, wheo I 
repeat, that, for tlt^ unkt, I am ereo ready to abaodoo tlie darllog wiih of my 
heart ; the very idea of whlcby hath, of late years, I may say, formed a portion 
of my existence,— rereoge ? Yes, tweet Marguerite, endeavom' bttt to return my 
lore only with esteem, and I am willing to sircar, that aU the Injurlei thy brother 
hath dono me, shall be obliterated from my memory; lore shall iiifle all those 
feelings of malerolence that hare for years raged wHhin my bosom, and——*' 

*' My brother would laugh to scorn the robber's boasted power," interrupted 
Lady Marguerite, in a firm roice, and with a look of the most ineflhUe ooolempc. 

*' He wonld repent were I to pot his daring to the test," returned Osmond ; 
*' but, come, this is a mere wasto of words ; I hare told thee my s entluwu ts, 
lady: I ask tbee for a return ; there was a time when OsoMmd needed not thus 
to sue, when wealth and beauty were at his command, but he made the aacrifiee 
to me who afterwards deceired him, cruelly deceNed hfan. He thought, after 
that, that no woman could wukt any other impression upon his mind, sare that ef 
hatred. " It was, howerer, folr Lady Marguerite wlio was destined to teach hla 
diflterent ; fote hath ordained that she should re-kindle those sentiment that bad 
so long laid dormant in his breast; let it, then, be her sweet task to e udeavu ur 
to rccal the robber-chief to what he formerly was. Thns, beauteous ddmsul, on 
my kuees, do I urge my rows, and sottcit of tbee a return." 

As the robber-chief thus spoke in the most impassioned accents, he heal 
his knee to the floor, and fordMy sdalog the hand of Marguerite, he foned K 
rapturously to his lips, and detoored It with kisses. Shame, Imttgnatiou, aad 
olfondcd modesty swelled the bosom of the wnA&ea, and while deep crimson 
blushes suffused her cheeks, and resentment flashed horn her sparkling eyes, she^ 
with difllculty, released her hand from his hdd, and retreating to the other 
side of the room, she exclaimed :— 

" Desist robber, tby boldness but arouses my utmost wrath 1 Leave um, and 
no longer insult mine ears with thiue hatefnl protestatlous. Think noi that tby 
vows can inake any Impression upon the mind of Lady Marguerite but that 
of the ntmost scorn and detestation ! No, sooner than utter one tentence wUdi 
might give tbee encouragement, and must be ao abhorrent to her feeHnga, -she is 
prepared to suffer all that thy cruelty can luiiol. No more ; I wlU uoi Hsten 
to thee ; the blood of the murdered la upon thine hands ; crime wdlghs 
heavy upon thy soul ; thy pretfonce esdtes my greatest horror 1" 

The robber-chief bit his Ups, and traversed the room for a ndnute or two 
with hasty and uneven footsteps, then advancing once more towards MaiguerilSy 
the calm dignity and firmnms of whose manner, however, oempletaly awtud Um, 
he ejaculated;^ 

«< Lady, these looks of acorn; these words of^BsdalnwUl avail thee Httle; and 
nay arouse my indlgnatioo, in whfeh case, I know not to what lengths I might 
be templed to go. 1 have oflteed thee fUriy, at least, as fairly as drcuaMtanoes 
will permit me, and by those offers will 1 al^e, but—-" 

At this moment, there was a loud Uaat upon a bugle, and then followed a straage 
oonf^med noise from below, which p r e v en t e d the robber-chief ftpm firoccedlng 
any forttaer in his speech. The noise Increased, and persons might be heasd 
nmniDg ru and fro In the gresiest confusion. 



THB robber's foundling. 191 

" WbU CUD iblt meta ?" critd Osmood^ iovoluotarilj Uyiug his hand on 
Ibe hUt olbii iwordy ind lookiog towards the door, as be heard the heavy foot- 
itept of some person asoetuling the stairs. 

Tbefollowiog momeDt, there was a loud knock at the room-doorf which Oi« 
■ood having opened* one of the robbers presented himseif« 

*' Captaloy" said the man, "thy presence in the cafern is immediately required ; 
Orindo.hijDSt passing through the forest on his way tooor retreat* discovered 
a band of armed men advancing this way» and having secreted himself wldle 
they passed* he overheard the conversation of some of those who had led them* 
fh>m which he learnt that this was the place of their destination !" 

''Ah! sayett thoa so?" eJLclaimed the robber-chief* nnsheatbing bis sword, 
" tiMB there is not a moment to lose ! Doubtless* the intended attack is that which 
I hapB long eipectedy and for which we are so well prepared ! By the mass 1 
the daring foes shall soon have cause to repent ! Osmond* tbe Avenger, will 
^ach them each a lesson* that they will not easily forget. Js every man at his 

post?" 
« He is* captain*'* answered the man* " and eager for the strife l*' 

<* Away* then*** cned Osmond, *M will follow thee Immediately! Lady* we 
shall meet again* anon* when I have chastised the rash fools who liave dared 
to nndertake this enterprize !" 

Thus saying* the robber-chief waved bis haad to Lady Marguerite* and preceded 
by the rofflan who iiad been sent to apprize him of the drmnistance, he made 
his way to the cavern. There he found his lieutenant and some of the principal 
of the gaug assembled* and aiming themselves for tbe affhiy* and having hastily 
buckled on his armour, Osmond hastened to the different places that needed 
most protection, and iioding everything in fit condition for a desperate defence* he 
made his way to the battlements of the castle. Here, at first* he saw nothing 
bal the tall trees waving thdr branches in the breeze ; but* shortly afterwards* 
the cays of the sun fell upon the glittering pikes of tbe approaching a^aallants* 
and then he saw a number of men winding their course towards the castle* l)e- 
ftweea the different avenues of the trees* /led on by a noble-looking warrior oif 
horseback* and who* as they advanced nearer* Osmond immediately recognized* 

** It is the enemy I expected*" he observed ; << it is my detested foe^Lord 
Raymond St. Aswolph! Tbe contest will be a short one* and I need not 
eommaadTevery man to stand Arm* and should defeat be our's* let us rather perish 
la the blazing ruins of this our retreat* than yield ourselves to their power !" 

** We will stand by our captain* and perish rather than yield !" shouted a 
hundred voices. 

•< Enough* my brave lellows," cried Osmond ; '* I place the firmest reliance 
on ye s but I enjoin ye* one and all* to be careful not to harm Lord Raymond ; 
he who forgets this mandate* dies I" 

*' We will obey !*' exclaimed the robbers* and in an instant* at a signal from 
the robber*chief, the ramparts* battlements and every part of tbe impregnable 
edifice was filled with well-armed and desperate men, but so concealed, that the 
enemy could not behold them* and from the appearance of the castle* would 
be likely to imagine that the robbers were unconscious of thdr approach. 

Feeling more confident of success from the apparent unguarded state of the 



192 BRN.VR9TCNE DE LACY J OB, 

t 

citUf, Lord Raymond and his followers more qoickly approacled, and soon 
arrifcd al the ancient and powerfal edifice. What added not a Utile to th« 
astonishment of his lordship was, that the drawbridge wai dowo» which had been 
occasioned through some siognlar mbtake of Osmond and bis gang. Lord Ray- 
mond and his companions mshcd across the bridge, and commenced battering 
the ponderous doors, bnt no sooner had they done so, than thry were salfeted 
with a terrific shower of arrows and stones, which stretched a number of tbrm 
dead, and with the most dreadful yells, the robbers were all fn an Instent, pre- 
pared to deal destruction on their asraiUnts. This nnerpected salote threw 
the followers of Lord Raymond into the utmost confusion, more espedally as 
they had no means of retaliating upon the robbers, who were too well pro- 
tectfd to suffer from the arrows of the beslrgers, while they contiooed the 
battle they had begun with OTcrwhelmiog fory, and total defeat, In a rery ifcoft 
time, seemed to be iocfitable. 

With the greatest didlcolty did Lord Raymond get hb men to raHy again, mnd 
then a p6nioD of them renewed their attack upon the doors, while others 
rendered desperate by the vner^ected reception they had met witb« and 
impatient to wreak their vengeance on their daring foes, climbed up the walls, 
aword in hand, towards the battlements, bnt were dashed headlong into the 
moat beneath^ cotered with wounds. The scene wu altogether one of the 
most bloody and appalUog that conld be conceived, and the groans of the dying, 
and the shoats of the robbers, rent the air, and increased the horror of allaroand. 
At length, the massive doors yielded to the violence of the ass^Iaots, and 
bursting asunder, gave admittance to the castle, bnt no sooner' had thry at* 
tempted to eiiter, than they were met by another portion of the gang, and after a 
desperate conflict, were repulsed with great slaughter on both sides ! 

Lord Raymond had now lost a nnmder of his men, and the contest began to 
assume a most alarming aspect, but determined not to be defeated without a 
severe struggle, he again rallied his men, and once more, at their head, be 
lushed into the castle, and the combat was resumed with redunbled fury. Again 
and again were the as«ailants repulsed, and their courage began to fall them. 
At this Juncture, when Liord Raymond and his followers had again been driven 
.from4he casile, the robbers from the baulemeiits sounded a parley, and Os« 
mond^ their chief, appeared, and addressing himself to Lord Raymond^ 
said :— 

•' iiord Raymond St Aswolpb, tbon and I ait sworn foes, and! have determined 
to wreak my vengeance on tbet !— I have warned thee of it, hut the time has 
not come yet. Thoa hasi found already, methlnks, that to conqaer Osmond 
the Avenger, it not quite so easy a task as thoa didst at first imagine, donbthss ; 
and thou wilt, if thou art mad fool enough to persevere in the attack thoo haat 
made upon dm*, find to thy cost, that Osmond, the robber-chief, sooner than 
yield, woold perish in the niioa of bis pistle. To save the effusion of blood on 
both sides, I give thee fair warning. Tbon mayest depart without fear of 
Interruption, bnt if thou art determined to proceed, thou must take the con- 
sequences, the eateot of which thou canst not form the least Idea oV* 

*• Warn boasting villain V* retnrned Lord Raymond, <« 1 am not to be frightened 
from my purpose by the threats of a robber and an outlaw like thee. With 



THE robber's POVNDLINO. 



Jotltee on nj iide, I do mi dmilM but iucwh wfll etown my effuru, mi by 
Wmtcd, 1 twwr I will Bol mt nnlll I b«*e hannied thee from Iby lair T 

** RMh fool !" ciicd OiBODd, "btboW, Ibea, what tbe a)i]«rqaeiien wm be, 
-•hoBid fortMM tewwT th(«i mdnuke Ukc coaqoerM-. TheHme mamnlthmt 
'|i*ntfe«CTfctMT,Aall*Mrileattinllfaof one, wbo, b; the fl« of blood, tboDM 
be ■■ dev to tbee M tMne own eilitener>" 

**Alil wbM tneancK tkonf" denHdnl Lord Rajmiond, ta n Komion of 

" BiboM r rrpHed tbe robber-Etaler, uid at Ihatnomcnt, be praented to the 
(jM mt ber awe-nraA bntber, the mnbhng Udj Hnnmrlte. 

II woM be iBiponible U de«cribe, m tt onght to be, the horror which Lord 
R*)Moml evinced, when he thus bebeld the reaHtatloa of h<« wont fean; 
Marfuerltn in tba power of ntmond tbe robbrr-cblen He wii completely 
tMnljMd, wMI» LadT Margnetlie wkb rtretehed arm*, looked tbe ntj loaf e of 
deipalr and tarrar. Tbe robber BMleed ibe enodoo of Ma enevr wiib a bwk 
vT eziUMlM, Hd potartiat lowndi the deeply- afllated daawel b; bii lidr, 
-baadtel:- 

" Now, WbM Mnmt tfaoa, Lord Rajtaond St. Aiwnlpb 7-wHt tfaoa accept Ibe 
«icrcUW oSer I bare nade tbte, or, by nuMy penevering la ihl« utacb, brlnt 
danmcfloooatliebeadaf ihyihterl" • 

"DeepcntB Maal" njieolaled LorH Raymoed, "What wonldil tboa with 
tbu ndr damtelr Wkatcrnel act ban thon to contemplatiDD ? Rdeait her 
'frna Ibf power, and 1 iwear not only immediately to atandon Ibe anacb, 
but nerer (gdo to molett ibec !" 

" Nay, ay noble foe, than atkeih me (eo mncb," obaerrcd Oimond ; " Lady 

NA. 3S 



194 SRNNBSTINB DK LACT ; OR, 

Marguf Hie vutt rcMala in my keeping, and by Ihe nnM I iwMr« that, ehovidil 
thou be ferieBAte in the combet, with my own bande I will pfauige her ioto4he 
noet beBeath mt I" 

** Ob, merqr ! mercy !— save me ! save me ! Raymond 1" mppUeated Maignerite 
in franHe aoeents. 

**Tf^t thy choice'." thonted Osmond) **retame the battle, or depart, and 
late the llfBofthy sister I" 

Lord Raymond paosed a moment, nocertain which way to act, and gased with 
ioteose agony npon Lady Marguerite. Already his force was greatly diminiibed ; 
and even should he prove sncoessfol, he had not the least donbt, from the dcspeAite 
and determined character of the robber-chief, that he would keep his word, 
and the life of his sister be sacrificed. He also ftdecied (hat, sboaM he abandon 
the present design, he might at some other time aecomplish his object by alra- 
tagem, or additional force, and rescue the Lady Marguerite from the power of 
the villain ; be, therefore, at last, came to the resoloUoa to withdraw with bis 
followers s and tuniinghis gate In the direction where Osmond wua standing, he 
observed :— 

«« Osmond, 1 yWd ; I take the offer thuu hast made oie, and withdraw with 
my men ; thou hast said that I have injured thee, and that tny vengeanee is 
cidted towards me, but bow that can be, I solemnly dedare I know not. At 
any rale, be that as it may I Implore, thee not to let the InnouMil auddea In thy 
power saiTer ; let her not bt tbe victim of thy vindictive feelings. I Implore 
thee this as a favour, and If thou dost but accede to it, I— «** 

*• 1 want no promises, St. Aswolpb," Inlerropted the robber-ohhel, ** for I 
know that thou canst not fhlfil them. Thou hast acted wisely In aeeBpUng 
my oifiert and hadst thou not done so, thou wooldst, most aaaurodly, ham 
foand me fuHU my promise. Osmond the Avenger Is not a man to be trifled 
with, as thou wilt learn anon. Thoo cravest of me a flavours I grant It ool In 
thy request, for agahi I tell thee that I have ample cause to detest thy vetj 
name; but it is my own feeling which prompts me to act as thou dost s n g getf 
Oel thee hence, and tell tbe enemies of the robber, Osmond, that he not only 
.despises but defies them .all. That even dioagh they crush his power here. If 
so, untoward fate should will it, he will sUU agahi arise te all hie foraser 
strength, and dare their utmost to defeat him. Oo, Liord Raymond St. Aawelph, 
and fcar not till the bour of vengeanee arrives, when Osmond, the Avenger^ wIR 
have a subtle aud ample retribution foi tbe wrongs tbou haal done him. Time 
is hot one can save thee. Sbe stands here ; on her word thy life dependa.** 

** Insolent shtve!" muttered Lord Raymond to himaelf, bis indignallan rising 
almost beyond endurance at the tone which Osmond assumed towards bfan, aft 
the same time that he could not control a or rtain feeling of dtead at Us woids, 
and the mystery of his manner; then turning his gate upon Lady Maiiuerlt% 
he exclaimed, aloud :-« 

** Farewell, dearest Marguerite, fbr ^ preient I lettre thee to the pmiectioa 

of that Almighty Being thou hast never offended, and who wiU not aotter thee 

to become tbe victim of the guilty power which now beholds thee. FaraweU, 
and 

« Brother Raymond 1*' shrieked Marfueritc, clasping her haodsi and filing 



THB ROBBBR's POUNDLINO* 195 

ipmi bin a look of tiM aott Araolic ond carnett aoppUcalioOt " thou surtly 
win 001 Icafe fli»tiioi| In tho bandt of tiMse iBercUof0» those lawlow Men." 

'* Bear the maMeo hencOy" commaiided the rohber-chiefy tmvlof lo hit 
eompaBloM $ " lead her to her ehamber.*' 

Osmood wae obe^ s and liargnerlte, complaining aload« in hyttciical wUd- 
BCMf wat fefoed away horn the battlementi. 

'* Lord Rajmond," said Osmond, '* depart instantlfy kst thoo wooldst pro* 
foko me to thaSaHematlfe which I woold &in av«M. Comrades, on yoorllftSf 
offer not to obstract his lordship or his followers in their retreat, hot unless ha 
humadiaiely hastens from heaoe, 1 will give ye the order to ve-coaunence the 
strife, and then be will too soon learn that Osasond is a man of bis word, and 
repeat aot accepting the opportnnity 1 hare aiforded him." 

It was with the grealesi diftmity that Lord RayoMMid-conld restrain the nge 
that boiled witliin his breast; to kave his sister In the hands ot snch a man as 
Osmond filled him with the utmost agony ; bat he had no other alternadte ; 
and oDoe more imploring the robber's forbea ran c e, he gave the order to his 
men, and in a few minntes afterwards they were on tbdr march from the 
castle, his oOnd filled with the most gloomy. presages, and distracted at the 
nnsooessefol resallof the ezpedlUon. 

Bpl^ if Lord RsyaMod's angnlsh and chagrin at the resoll of the attempt to 
sei^twe the robber^chlef and his dating gang, and the perilous sitoatlon of his 
sister were grt a^ his anguish was exceeded. If anything, by that of Lady Mar- 
guerite, whose feelings, on behokling her brother, we have already described ; 
when she was borne from the battlements by the orders of Osmond, and was con* 
?eyed lo her own apartment, unable longer to support the terrors of her mindi 
she became lasenslble. 

Haviag seen Lord Raymond and bis followers Taoisb in the distant mazes 
of tho deep-entangled wood, and left the battlements and erery other part of 
defence properly guarded, Osmond and the remainder of the gang retited , to 
the cavern In which they usnaUy congregated, where, having collected the robbers 
around him, he thus addressed them :— 

•« My bM comrades,— victory hath again attei^ed your IrresbUble, your 
uneonqueiable bravery; the Insolent foe who would oust us from our strong- 
hold, and annihilate us altogether, have, by ye, been defeated, and but for my 
clemency, not one would have survived to tell their shame to the world !— 
For this your captain thanks ye, cenidn as he Is, that rather than be con- 
4iuered, or see him fell Into the hands of his enemies, ye would all of yc lay 
down yowlWes!" 

Lood shouts, which made the vaulted cavern re-echo again, and cries of 
<* Long life to Osmond, the Avenger !— Death to those who woold betray him I" 
followed this address, and when the clamour had, in some degree ceased, 
Osmond continued In the following strain :— 

«• I again thank ye, my brave fellows, for this enthusiastic demonstration, and 
wlU take eara to reward It as It deserves ! Ballt behoves us to use redoubled 
prscamloo, now that the enemy has suffered this defeat, for, doubtless, 
they wtn mutter In ten-fold strength to attack us, and we must tf so, too 
strengthen our forces, sottmt wo may beabfe to meet and luecemfolly resist any 



196 ERNNBSTINB BK I^ACY ; OR5 

fottre attack tbal may be made upon us !— 6ar eiiemiei^4iule smpect the extnt 
of our retoarces In the moment of danger !— And we wtU, therefore, be prepared 
to shew them that we do not boast wHhoat ha?iag foil reason so to dot- 
It is my intention to sommom to oar aid , our falthftil par^sans, Uie Bandit 
Monlis of St. Ethelbert» who, beneath the |^i^ of sancbty, commit their 
depredattons without suspicion ; also tiie stalwart Archers of the Iwnoy green- 
wood of Meroey, whose prowess and deeds of daring, liave bid defianee to 
the lawy and all the force sent again them ! Wfih the aid of these, what can 
all the power of our enemies effect ?'* 

^'Nothing^l" sBonteda hundred TOices ;—<' success to the Bandit Monks cf 
St Ethelbert, and to the Archers of the bonoy greenwood orMercey !" 

** Pardon me, brave captain/' remarked his lieutenant, ** but metbinks whilst 
thou retidnest so fair an hostage as the lAdy Marguerite St. Aswolph, tiiere is 
but little cause to apprehend any danger !*' 

<*From Lord Raymond Sr. Aswolph, her brother, I own tlwre Is not,** 
answered Osmond, '* but we have other and more powerfol enemies, whom it 
is neeessary we should guard against! But enough of this; I have tdd ye my 
plans, and I caution ye all to be wary and watchfol ! To-morrow, I intend 
to set apart for rcjoidog at our ticCory, when, at the fostke board, 1 wUl in» 
traduce to ye, my intended bride, the beauteous Lady Msii^guerite St Aswolph !*' 

iioad acdamatiotts followed this announcement, and then the robbers takluf 
their places at the board, commenced their rude revelry with the foUowtag 
song of triumph, usually sunp by them on occasions like the present :— 

<* Drink ! drink !— 'lis ours to Uogh 

At gloomy care, at pale-faced woe ; 
Drink ! drink !~cheerily qoaff. 

We robbers only pleasure know! — 
Round, roufod, again with glee, 

LiCt's be gay, let* s be gay, 
Shout ! shout ! for victory, 

Victory Is ours huzza ! 

Tiral la ! tiral la ! 

Victory is ours— huzza I 

Who would crush the robber's miglit ? 

Who his hardy soul would scare ? 
' Who can daunt him in the fight ? 

Drink to them, despair I despair ! 
Round, round, again with glee. 

Let's be gav,— let's be gay ; 
Shout » shout ! for victory ! 

Vlctoi^ is oars— huzza I 

'Ural la ! tiral la ! 

Victory Is ours— huzza ! " 

The chorus being ended, Osmond and bis lieutenant put on the disgotoe of 
minstrels, and so completely metamorphosed were they, that it wmUd hi^ bean 
utterly impossibe for any person to have recognized them, or to have bad any 
suspicion of their real characters ; then the former having ascertained that Mar- 



Tus bobber's foundling, 197 

guitffite bad recovered, and mu attended by EUancbe* they aet forvard lo learn 
tke dfoct the late engagement bad bad on their enenlea, and aUoto •omnMu the 
BnQ(Ut Monki of St. Btbelbert, and the Archers o^ Meroey-wood. 

Tliere was only one among the gang who felt any repugnance at the condoet 
and designs of Osmond, and thai one waa Ulrk, the husband of Blanche; 
and bis discontent was yet hot a spark, which it was uncertaio whether it 
woald enrr otpaod into a blaze. Notwithstaoding the little cause the outlawed 
■ohleman had to like the world, there* were moments when his heart shrank 
with a fieellog of disgust and shame at the life be was leading, and tbo wretches 
with whom he was associated ; naturally Tirtuous and noble, bis heart revolted 
with a seotiment of sldtenlng horror at' the saaguloary scenes he was often 
oompeHed to witness and mingle ln»and heaigbed to think that tbecruelty of his 
iMher had driven him to such a tonne ol life. Often had his merdf ul Interposition 
saved the life of an unfortunate beiag , whom the robhera wonld otherwise have 
sacrificed s and, although many of them laughed at him for what they termed 
his fooliah humanity, notwithstanding Osmond strictly enjoined them never to 
use violettce but when they found it absolutely necessary for thehr pwn safety ; 
Ulrlc'a persuasions always bad due weight with them, and he was a great 
favourite amongst them. • But the chief cause of Ulric's regret and agony was, 
to see bis wife, hie stIU lovely and gentle Bbmehe, her who had been born 
to such dUfersnt, such happy prospects, phieed in this degrading situation, 
and Areqnently did he upbraid himself for having bronght her into It, He, 
however, never asentioncd his thoughta to Blanche, and aiwai^, when In her 
pfcsence, disguised his real sentiments under a semblance of content he was 
far from feeling. 

The account which Blanche had given him of Lady l|larguerite and her 
perilous situadon, with which be was so well acquainted, bad eidted his deepest 
Interest and compassion, and the conduct of t>sniond io the late battle, 
and the terrible threats he had held out to Lord Raymond, had created his 
utmost disgust Fain would be have done all In bis power to have assisted Mar- 
guerite, and aided her In escaping from the place of her oonftnement, but his 
oath bound bhn to fidelity to his captain and the gang, and he was fully aware 
that his own life wouhl Inevitably be sacrificed to thehr vengeance should he 
do so, and he was^ therefore, compelled, much against his hidlnatlon, to abandon 
eueh a humane idea, and left to regret, more poignantly than ever, the hard 
tate and untoward ciroomstancea tliat had ph^ed hhn in a situation which 
ezdnded him from ezerdslng the natural dictates of his heart. 

But what more particularly eidted Ulric's disgust, was the determination Os- 
mond had expressed, to compel Lady Marguerite to become his bride ; the 
bride of a robber, whose hands had been so often imbrued in the blood of his 
fellow-creatures, and who had no other prospect than a life of crime, and nlti- 
matdy, an ignominioos death. His Intention, too, of having the hMiy present at 
thefoUowIng day's reveh7 ;— eathihited to the rode gase of the gang, and con- 
stialBOd to listen to their ribald Jokes, and witnesa their riotous debaudiery, 
filled his bosom with a sentiment of the utmost indignation, which he could 
scarcely forbear the ezpresrion of In the presence of Osmond add the others ; 
but, by a powerlol eflbrt, be stifled his emotions, well knowing what the 



198 BRNNSSTINB DB LACY; OR^ 

ooMeqveace would be if tbty were obterfcd, and thai, ftf it did mc Mb| dom 
opon him the fengetiice of the gaog, woald« no dowbty eKectnaOy prefest 
liim from affofding Margierlte any iittle amJitaace towards aUevtatiof her 
ttlMry, which he might hafo it in his power» and was resolved to do. Td 
Bfam^ however, he m'ftdcd hhrsaltfaoaghmapoB the salKct, aad bigged her 
toassme aeMrprisaoer how deeply he sympathised iaher mtsfortanes, aad 
i f g r ct t a d that he had not power to rescoe lier from tiie thraldom la which she 
WM plBCcd,8nd tfM fate with wfakh she* was tiireateBcd, bat which he slassfsly 
trusted, that sometMog would oecor to prevent It. 

^ We need not say how heartily BlandM responded to tlie sentiments of her 
husband, aad how g)sdly woaM she have eaeoumged Mm to'assist the anfmr- 
tonate Lady Marguerite In escaping from St. Ahryn Castle, could It faavu been 
done without the terrible consequences that would aooroe to tem both, aad 
had not the oath they had taken bound them hi fidelity to Osmond and hie 
gang; fonrfal, therefbre, that Ulric mighl inadvertantly betn^ hie real eenti- 
menta to the robbers, and ezdm their suspicioas; she o anti owe d him oertously, 
wiridi he, however, infbrmed her was quite unneeessarf, as he should take good 
care never to be off his guard. They then scparaSsd, aad Blaacfae hastened te 
the apartments of Lady Marguerite, to whom she imparled what had lakew 
place between beraud her husband, i^ady Margaerite heard her wHh n fheBag 
of the deepest melancholy and despair, but, at the same time, begged tbal 
Bhmcfae would ezprms her gtaUlude to her husbund fbt his syaq>atby, aad 
Infbrm Mm of her regret that fbie had ptaMd him insodegmdiagami pahifMa 
situation, and of her sincere wish that something would, ere long, tske place to 
releaie him from it, and restore him to that station In society, from which 
oppression and cruelty had driven Mm. 

It was some hours after the battle, and the dreaaumnees that had taheu 
place, ere l^ady Marguerite could, in the slightest degree^ ceaipss e her feelings, 
or listen with patleaceto the geatle soolhhigs of tbeatteative and ajfcct io n at ii 
Bfamche. 

«*Alasr she ejaculated, <' where Is aU thai fbrbuiraace and defeieoee to our 
sex, wbleh thou didsl ktely give Osmond credk lor pessessbg?~Did he nol 
threaira me wllh deaths had not my poor bruiher yWded to his eamiuamli r* 

•^Trae," returned Bhwche, <<bnt stiU I do not belleva be wouM pot such a 
threat into esecuiloo, and that H was merely uttered to alarm Lord Baymoad/ 
I reattytMnk that he is .fbrdiUy struck with thy charass. Lady Margaeri^, aad 
so hr fhmi cooslgnlttg thee to de ath, would— ^" 

''Compd me to become hli bride, then wouldst eay,*' added Margueiile ; 
«*ates! death wouM, hideed, be preferable to thai." 

Blanche used all tlM atgamenis she could thfask of to soothe te u nf or tuna te 
Udy, but they failed in baring the desired eflbcl. She then look her lute, aad 
played one of the most Impremite aim she kaew, but the so und s ML ilatlsmly 
upon Marguerite^s ear, and she at hist desisted, and wmn out with thought 
and anxiety, tbefhdr prisoner retired to her couch, and shortly sunk to sleep, 
Blaodie continuing to watch by her bed-side for s6me tine. 



THE KOBBR1t^S FOUNDf.fNG. 199 

CHAPTER XVII!. 

* 

*' Cooflde Id me, my lord ; I koow 
A srcret ptst will guide tbee to his haonr. 
And tboa caiitl drive the vUlahi from Ms lair !** 

Words cannot describe the anguish of Ladj Celestine on the retom of her 
80B» and when she was made acquaioted with the perilous sitoatioa of 
Margserite. For some time she was in a state bordering npon madness ; and 
it was only at last hy the gentle soothinsi and persuasions of Emnestiue, who 
deeply syBpathiaed In her distresses, that she was restored to anything like a 
degree of oomposure; and then, when she thought of the power of the robber* 
chief, who seemed to be almost more than human , repelUog every force seut 
against him, and biddkig defiance to aU^ despair settled upon her heart, and she 
gave her unlortunaie daughter up for iosfe. Our heroine, who had formed » 
sislerly attaehmeut to Lady Marguerite, was greatly shocked and grieved when 
she h^ard the aceoant from l«ord Raymond of her situation; and, although she 
assumed an idr of confidence regarding her rescue, she was very far from euter- 
tafaiiig any such sangufaie hopes upon the subject. Lord RsyoMMid, however, not- 
withstanding his late defeat, determined to lose no time in making another 
atcempi lo rescue his sister, although he felt eoufident stratagem could alene 
effect that ol^eet ; whas seheaM, however, to adopt, he knew uot^ and racked his 
hraiu \m. vaia to hit upon one. 

There was another person who felt most keenly for the sitnailoa of LaJy 
Marguerite, and who was ready to sacrifice Ufe, fortune, everything, to rescue her 
from the power itf the rubber-chief; that peisoa was 8ir Egbert deCoaroy,wtio 
had long felt the inlluence of her charms, and had resefved from the llpa of Bfar* 
gaerito an ackuowledgmcat of the rstum of his love. 

Sir Egbert de Courcy was a geutleaMm every way worthy of the baud of 
Lady Maifu erlle 8t> Aswolph; aohteiamindashe waskipersao; bravcgeoe- 
rous,and aflbctlonale; k is, therefore, no wonder that their seallmeiits should 
become nntoaL OadmdisappssusiirB of the Lady Marguerite ftom the oastle, 
he had been from home, and was not aware of the pahifol drenaMtaoee uatil 
the pstani of Lord RayuMHid flrom the unsuceemluLexpeditioo we have been des- 
cribing. IlisihdignatioDattbeboldaeuoftbefohber-cldefmaybelmagfamd,aMl 
he vowed that he would rescue the maidcs aad paaish the outlaw for his 
aadadty* al the hazard of hi* EAi 

M By thesaints !" heexdaiaied* '' 1 willeDlleot such aforce tlmt shUl over- 
whelm shoviHaln, and aonihllate him and Us dariaggaag. Not oolywUlwejola 
our forces, buti wl!l seek assistance from thehiaglf theys^Mihl ialL" 

<< Fierce against Osmond, Is usdsss," Mid Lord Rayaioad ; ** he bidadcfiaoce 
toits and, evea shouM we he able to defeat him, that he would saerifiee the Ufe 
of Margudte, as he hss threatened, b certain. By stratagem oaly can we efleot 
our object." 

Sir Egbert paced the apartment for a few moments buried jn d^p medi* 
tstlor, then turning to Lord Raymond, be said,— 



SOO KRNNKSTINE DE LACY; OE, 

*' Could we bat contrlre to find ont a secret entraace to tiM eastle of St. 
Alwyoy we might take the villaSn by snrpiiie, and seoariag Marguerite, prevrat 
the poMibillty of patting* hit diabolical threats into ezecntion. That there are 
several secret entrances to the castle I knoWf bat I am entirely ignorant of 
their locality. Coold we only manage to get one of the gang Into our power, 
we might, by threau or the promise of a reward, persaade him to golde nt 
privately to the robbers' retreat, and we might effect ovr object with ?ery little 

diAcolty." 

<* Ahn ! Sir Egbert," retamed Lord Raymond, " then dost calculate too readily 
apon the means. The fellows are all sworn so fhlthfally to each other, that they 
wovld sooner perish than be guilty of soch' an act of treachery/' 

*• She must,— she shall be saved !" cried Sir Egbert. " By Heaven I I wlU 
not rest until 1 hate derised some plan to tear my Marguerite from tbe'Avengcr*i 
power, and brtag destruction upon Mm and hli gang. Ah !" he added, aa a 
sudden thought crossed his mind, *' M? esquire, Godfrey de Liac3r,<<-ie was 
talren by Osmond to his retreat in the castle of St Alwyn, from whence he 
made his escape^ and must, therefore, possess the knowledge we itqulre. f wtil 
seek him immediately, and he shall be our guide, and the means of refonsiog the 
heauteons Marguerite from the outlaw's power.** 

<* It Is a iudty thought,'* returned Lord R.aymond, hope once more spriugfhe up 
In his bosom. ^ I marvel that It did not occur to me. Where Is Oodfhsy ?" 

*• He Is not at present In the castle," replied Sir Egbert; *<aad, indeed, I 
cvinot ten what bath come to him of late, for he is abaent for heurs, wandering 
In the woods, and when he is at the cntle, he is gloomy and tbbughtlM, and 
changed In manners altogether. Hath his fair mlatfess, Erunestine, oitended 
him, I wonder f" 

Lord Raymond nsade no answer, for the q ues t i on cniiscd unyihlng^bui a 
pleasant ieeling In his breast. 

<< We will this instant away to the wood, my lord," said Sir Egtert de 
Ceurqr, ** where we shalU no doubt,- find him. There is no time to be lost in 
this business t end I shudder to think upon the misery and degradation to whieh 
my beloved Marguerite is probably already suldected. Come, my lord." 

Laid Rayaaond looii the arm of the knight» and they hastily quitted DeCoafcy 
castle, and ssude their way to the wood. 

WUIe theeventa we have been describing in tiie tost two or three chapters were 
taking place, Godfrey de liuey had passed many bitter momenta nf agony, oc* 
cadioned by the irresistlhle force of that fbeUng of Jealousy which had taken pos- 
session of his bosom, and rendered all his mouMnta miaerahle Hm co utl nne d 
stay «f Bmneatlne at the castle of St. Aswulph, and the unabated warmth of the 
attention which liord R^rmond bestowed upon her, inflamed his mind to an 
almost insupportable degree ; and ^ere were moments when he could scarcely 
control Ids feelings wHhin the bounds of reason, and when in the society of Eru- 
nestine, frequently he behaved in such a oumner aa oMde her experieaoe aaenti*. 
meat of indignallon, and she could not refrain from upbraiding him for hit 
conduct in severe terms. Godfrey would listen to her in salien Silence, and 
then abmpUy qnitthig her presence, retire to hb fisvourite haont In the 
deepest recesses of the gloomy wood, where he wonld pass whole boors In silent 



THB bobber's foundling. 



MdlUtkMi, sod in fwduf iba nnkenvurm wbkch be bad.infcrcd lo pnr 
Bpon bU be«n. Ajtalmt Lord lUynioad, bo codld icvccly refraia frau 
olilUiIng tbe most hmlemte bund; Rod that Mutincat dtUi galnrd Micb 
itrcngth io. bU bowm, ibit ha from being opea, geoeroai, cbeerful, aad 
arbaaa, beeane aiorow, atern, aad tiUen, and the esuaordlaarr chan|e in 
hli behaTioDT excited the ntmoit utualahment ir the nlada of all (rboknew Um. 

Sir Egbert and Lord Rainwwl foond bim waudeilng amoag thoae ^ooiar 
ihadei be wai now k> conttani a (rt^aenter of, wkb bii tje* bent to Ika 
eartb, wnpped to todi deep nndaattoa ai ta be perffeily abslracied from 
all aroaad bhn. Sir Egbert tpohe to him, btf entlrelT abaarbad iu hit own 
(boughta, be beard bim pot'aodl be had repeated bii name two or three tinea, 
ttben, lookiag ap, and obaemog Lard Raioioed, an exprcaalon came t^rer Ma 
coaatanance wbkli might have been eailly nodenlood, at leMt bj tbe tndlvldiiBl 
who had cauKd It. 

" Godfrei," laldSir E(ben, " t ba*e anught ibee oa i tot^ect of tbegreatcat 
Importance, la wUdi I rtqidre tUaeald." 

"lliaoDljtto lellmeln what manner I can aetre tbee. Sir Egben, asdit b 
id; dnty to obef thee," aald OodfreT< 

" Til well," obHncdibeknlg^tt " 1 bacw wdl how rtadf iheu woaldat be 
to comply n4th my TCqneii. The LadrMargoeiiM iboa knoweatiial prMeatla 
the power of the robber-ehlef, Oamoud tbe Avenger, who appear* to Ind 
defiance la all tbe force that can he leat agaioit bld> ; tmd, aUboagh I do aol 
donbt but tliat we shitll be able to inhdae tbe power of tbe dadng otttlaw, It 
would probahlf not be aatil be had fnlBlted the threat he made to Lord RaTmond, 
naoielr, to sacrlAce tbe life ot Ike nofortnuate ladf whom lie ha* an bmtallr 

No. 2C 



202 EI^NNBSTINE DE LACY; OR^ ^ 

torn from her frieods ; we musty therefoiey at all hazards, effect her ddiferaoce 
/rom his power by stratagem. Thou hast been a prlsooer io the castle of St. 
Alwyn ?" 

«* Tree,*' retamed Godfrey. 

** Thou didst effect thy escape from thence ?"/said Lord Raymond. 

'* I did/' was the answer. 

" And, therefore, thon mast be acqwdoted with the means of secretly gaining 
an entrance to the castle ?*' said 8\t Egbert. 

«« I am. Sir Egbert," replied Godfrey. 

" Ah !" obsenred Lord Raymond, ** thou sayest so ; why, then, didst thon 
not offer tby services on the recent espedition, wiien by thy means the effuaon 
of blood might hate been spared, and Osmond and his gang easily conquered ?" 

" Because I would not betray one who, however lawless his life, 1 have had 
reason to believe is my friend,*' replied Godfrey de Lacy. 

** How V cried Sir Egbert. *' dost thou, then, acknowledge thyself the 
friend and colleague of these desperate men ?" 

" I do not. Sir Egbert," returned Godfrey ; «« sllll will I not betray them. I 
now see what it is thou requirest of me ; it is to lead thee to the secret entrance 
of the robber's retreat ; but, deeply as I regret the situation of Lady Marguerite, I 
must decline to do the service thou requirest of me.** 

" Ahl so bold ! Thou dost refuse to lend thine aid towards the restoration 
of Lady Marguerite to her frieods, and, therefore, prove thyself to l>e the 
partizan of those whose lives are forfeited to the offended laws of the country ! 
^Beware, Godfrey !" said Sir Egbert 

'* I am ready to talce the consequences of my coDduct^** replied Godfrey, firmly ; 
«and though I am sorry to do anything in disobedience to thy wishes. Sir Egbert, 
in this instance, I must express my determination to Iw unalterable." 

*'Rash youth!" eidaimed Lord Raymond, ''thou surely canst not know 
what thon art saying ;— is this thy boasted honour ,»thy much vaunted humanity, 
when thoultnowest that an innocent damsel is held in the power of these merciless 
wretches, and threatened with a terrible fate, to refuse thhie aid, when it is 
In thy power to put us in the way to save her ?~Thoo must l>e mad !" 

** Probably I may be!" retorted Godfrey, cuoUy, ''and it is by no means pro- 
bable that f shall learn reason from Lord Raymond St. Aswolph." 

''Insolent!" exclaimed Lord Raymond, passionately; "this is almost past 
endursnce !— Is this the gratitude thou dost evince fur the manner in which I 
have served thee ?" 

" I thank thee, my lord, sincerely, for that which thou hast done for me," ob- 
served Godfrey, " and would fain return the obligation ; but I have expressed my 
determination, and nothing shall make me swerve from if. Heartily do 
I wish that Lady Marguerite may be restored to liberty ; but that which I am 
required to do towards effecting it, must be done by some other person than me." 

" Godfrey de Lacy," said Sir Egbert, whose astonishment at the extraordinary 
behaviour of his esquire could only be equalled by his rage, " thou surely must 
be labouring under some strange delusion !— Tbou hast given way to the gloomy 
thoughts that have occupied thy mind for some time past, until they have 
deprived thee of thy senses. Hath thy mind become completely insensible to 



THB robber's foundling. 203 

every feeling of bamanlty, anii honoar ; or dost thou presame to disobey the 
orden of thy master?" 

** I am perfectly sensible what f am saying, Sir Egbert," replied Godfrey, 
•«and, deeply as I regret the necessity which compels me, in this instancey I 
most decline the aid thon hast demanded of me." 

<<By the mass !" cried Sir Egbert, « this Sasolence is anbearable ;— follow 
me to the castle Instantly !" 

« I am sorry. Sir Egbert," returned Godfrey, *' tliat I 'cannot comply with that 
request, neither; I hare business that calls me another way." 

"Hold! mad boy!" cried his master passionately, bat Godfkiey had hurried 
away aa he spoke, and was oht of sight 

For a few moments Lord Raymond and Sir Egbert stood and gazed at each 
other in stupifled amazement, at the eitraordlnary and unaccountable beha?ioarof 
Godfrey ; and then having expressed their sentiments upon the snbjeiit, they made 
their way to the Castle of St. Aswolph to consalt what was best to be done. 

On their arrival there. Lord Raymond was Informed that a stranger, habited 
as a monir, had been waiting there some time to see him, upon business, as he 
said, of the ntmoet importance, and seemed anxious to avoid his features from 
being seen, as he bad liept his cowl carefully drawn over his countenance. 

"A monlc, and waiting to see me?'* said Lord Raymond, with a feeling of 
surprise and awe,' when he remembered the form he had seen in the vision, 
which had been raised by the power of Hal of the Glen, and the mysterious 
monk he bad afterwards encountered ; '* accompany me. Sir Egbert, perhaps 
the errand he has come npon may concern us both." 

Sir Egbert obeyed, and they made their way to the apartment in which the 
stranger was staying. 

When Lord Raymond and Sir Egbert reached the apartment in which the 
supposed monk was waiting, he aroie, and made his obeisance to the former, 
but he seemed dissaUsfied that he should be accompanied by the knight. His 
figure was tall and commanding, and there was something in his appearance 
altogether, which plainly denoted that the dytfacter he appeared in was 
only assumed. He partly raised his cowl, only revealing the upper part of his 
countenance, sufllcient, however, to shew that he was a man of about the 
middle age, handsome, bat with a countenance deeply marked with sorrow. 
His eyes were dark and peculiarly penetrating, and he fixed them earnestly 
upon Lord Raymond as though he would read his thoughts, and ascertain whether 
he could confide in him. Lord Raymond was convinced that he was not the 
same indivldaal who had appeared to him on a former occasion, which we have 
described. 

" Holy lather," said Lord Raymond, " what wouldst thou with me ?" 

'' My business is with thee," answered the man, " and with thee alone." 

"Sir Egbert de Courcy is my friend," said his lordship, "and whatever 
may be thy business with me, thou need'stnot fear to menUon it in his presence." 

"1>ardon me, my lord," returned the supposed monk, " but I would rather 
that what I have to communicate, should reach thy ear alone.*' 

«* 1 like not the mystery of thy manner," observed Lord Raymond ; ** who 
art thoa ?" 



204 BBNNKSTINB DE LACY; OR, 

** Thy fritod/' antwerifd the atraoger. 

** How am I to be latitfied of thii ?** demanded Lord Raymond. 

*< My oondact tludl pro?e It. Tbon need'st not fear to trait me | but, if tbe 
knight. Sir Egbert, doth not withdraw, I vbail decline to impart that which I 
came here for the ezpreM purpose of doing. I would serve tl)iee." 

" How ?•• 

** Let Sir Egbert retire, and 1 will inform thee.*' 

" I repeat tliat thou mayett trust him." 

" Probably I may, but 1 would rather not run the liazard. The businett 
1 ha?e come upon is of the utmost consequence, and tlion wilt not blame me 
for the caution I have made use of, when thou art acquainted with it.** 

*< My presence shall not be any obstacle to the business thou hast come upon, 
monl(," said Sh* Egbert, whose curiosity was, however, much excited by the 
manner of the stranger |— ** I will withdraw." 

With these words. Sir Egbert de Courcy retired into an adjoining apartment , 
and Lford Raymond and bis mysterious visitor were left aloue. 

" Now, holy father, if such thou really art," observed his lordship, <* tby 
business ?" 

'< I am no monlc. Lord Raymoitd," said the stranger, ** suffice it to say tha 
I am sincerely thy friend, and would assist thee in the accomplishment of a 
deed which, no doubt, at present, occupies thy thoughts, and upon wlilch, I 
presume, that a great portion of thy happiness depends.** 

« What meanest thou ?** 

«• May 1 trust thee ?*' 

"^Tbou mayest, hot why sbould'st thou doubt me ?" 

*< My lite, and that which ought to be as dear to thee as life, depends upon 
your conduct, and, therefore, thou need'st not marvel that I should be so 
cautions," answered the man. 

'* I pledge thee my honour," observed Liord Raymond, <* that, if thy inteutioDs 
are just, to do all that thou canst with." 

** Enough ; 1 will take thy word," said the man. 

*< Who and what art thou ?'* repeated Lord Raymond. 

** It matters not tor thee to know more than that I have already informed 
thee," answered the mysterious stranger, " namely, that I am thy friend, and 
would serve thee." 

<< Give me, then, the proof," demanded Lord Raymond. 

" I will. The Lady Marguerite, thy fair sister, Is at present in the power of 
the robber-chief, Osmond, the Avenger ?" 

•'True,— what of that ?" 

" Thou would'st rescue her from it, but have not the means," said the man, 
' * force thou hast tried, but without effect, and it b by stratagem thou canst alone 
hope to accomplish thy designs. To-morrow, it* is the intention of Osmond to 
force her to become his bride, and, therefore, there is no time to be lost." 

'* My sister, the bride of tbe robbcrcbief !" cried Lord Raymond, in a tone of 
Indignatioo, << by the saints, that shall ne?er be. She must, she shall be saved !" 

*« She must," repeated the man, •* but it can only be effected by my 
assistance." 



TUB BOBBBB's foundling, 205 

** Hoir 10 ? and why shovldBt ihoa, who art an to^tre Mvao^r to me, tike 
Mch an interest in anythioip wlilcii ooncerns me ?" ailted Lord Raymond. 

** Beeaote I detent the conduct of Osmondy in this instance, and tlie situation of 
the Lady MargnerHe liatb exdted my sympattiy," answered tlie man. *< If 
thoa wilt trust to me, 1 wiQ conduct tiiee and tliy friends to*morrow, by a ifcret 
passage, Isnown bat to few, to tbe retreat of the robbers, where, talcing them l>y 
sarpris^ tlioa mayest succeed in rescning thy sister from the situation in which 
she is placed.'* 

'* Aye 1 sayest thou so, stranger ?*' said Lord Raymond^ in a tone of pleasure, 
** then thou wilt pro?e thyself to be indeed my friend ; but art thou sinctre ?** 

*< I am,'* replied the nan ; «' wilt thou trust me ?" 

** I wW ;— I win ;" eagerly returned hb lordship ; ** but thy offer is so unexpected, 
that It ctfmpletely overwhelms me. 1 fain would Icnow to whom I shsll be 
indebted for this kindness ; a sertlce which nothing can ever repay.** 

** My name I must dacline to reveal,** said the stranger, " I am a man, however, 
deeply oppressed with care, and have suifrred sevelrely from the injustice ot 
those from whom I had tbe least right to expect it ; but 1 yet possess a heart 
which can sympathise in the distresses of snfTeriog innocence. But I must 
begone. Thou wilt, then, avail thyself of the offer I have made to thee ?'* 

^'With the most unbounded pleasure,** answered Lord Raymond, spealcing 
sincerely what be felt ; '< but where, and at what hour shall I meet thee V* 

** To-morrow evening, when darkness hath veiled the earth ; In the forest, 
near the parricide's stone," answered tbe man ; ** let thy followers be close at 
hand, and leave the rest to me !** 

" Stranger, again I thank thee ;" said Lord Raymond^ ** I will do as thou 
dlrectest me; but thlnkest thou that success will attend us ?** 

*<That depends entirely upon the precaution thou usest; thy firmness, 
promptitude, and determinatfon,'* answered the stranger. '*! will conduct 
thee to the place, as I have promised thee, and then thou must act as thine 
own judgment and the clrcumstan^ may dictate. Farewell; till we meet 
again.** 

Before Lord Raymond could make any reply, the stranger had quitted the 
loom, and hastily retired from the castle, leaving him in a state of astonish- 
ment, which may be easily imagined. 

Sir Egbert de Courcy, when he heard the stranger depart, hastened to rejoin 
Lord Raymond, so that he might be made acquainted with the nature of the 
business upon which the mysterious stranger had sought an interview with his 
lordship. When he was informed of what had taken place, the promise which 
the stranger had made him, his surprise was no less than that of Lord Raymond, 
and he was at a loss to conceive who the Individual could be to take surfa 
an interest In the affair. Sanguine hope, however, was readily admitted to 
his bosom, atfd he looked forward to the following evening with the greatest 
impatience. 

The joy of Lady Celestiae and our lieroioe, was unbounded when they were 
made acquidnted with the circumstance, but, at the same time, they could 
not help occasionally fearing that treachery was intended ; this apprehension, 
however, was strongly oombattcd by Lord Raymond, who was convinced from 



206 BRNNE8TINK DB LACY; OB^ 

the stranfer't mattDcr, tiut he was sincere \m ithsc he eAfred^ and thcR was 
a candour in his general behafionrf which was aBlllclent la doawi^ with sna- 
|itelon« 

The aslODishmeat and Indignalien of Emnesline when she heard of the singalar 
behariour of Gedfrer, upon the application which Sir Egbect andLetd Rajaead 
had nude to hini« may be imagined without mnch difflcnlty, and she was com- 
pletely ata lots to account for it. Such « refusal seemed so imreasonMey and 
was in such direct oppositioii to his general character, that had she been In- 
formed of his conduct by any other persons than hb lordship and Sir Egbert, 
she could scarcely have credited It. Resentment at his unfeeling and dis- 
honourable behaviour, filled her bosom, and she determined, when next she 
saw him, to denMud of him an ezpUmation, and to upbraid him severely for the 
remarkable manner in wbicli he had acted. 

As the reader may, probably, have guessed, the stranger who had visited the 
castle and offered his services to Lord Raymond, wm Ulrie, who, unable to 
Conquer his repugnance to the conduct of Osmond In respect to Lady Marguerite, 
bad come at last to the determination, at all haxards, to assist in effecting her 
escape from his power. Tbis resolution he kept so secret, that he did not even 
divulge it to Blanche. 

In the meantime, the misery and lioars of Lady Marguerite were much aug- 
mented, dnce the defeat which her brother had sustained, and owing to the 
increasing boldneu and importimlties of Osmond, and she began to despair of 
being rescued from the fiste with which she wm threatened. What added greatly 
to her alarm was, the account which Blanche gave her of the arrival of the bandit 
monks, and the Archers of Meroeywood at the castle, and the formidable 
state of defence it was consequently placed In ; and it was with the utmost 
difficulty that the remonstrances and sootblngs of Blanche, could have the least 
effect towards alleviating her agony and terrors. * At length, Osmond bade her 
prepare to become bis bride, and fixed the time, when he expressed his determina- 
tion that the ceremony should take pUioe, a resolution which he publicly announced 
to his lawless companions, who received if with rude shouts of satisSMtion. 

We will not attempt to describe the anguish of Lady Marguerite upon this ; 
she was, indeed, in a state bordering upon distraction, and entirely deaf to 
the ezpostulationi of Blanche, who. It is needless to say, was very much 
affected, knowing, as she did, the determfaiatioh of Osmond, and that he would 
not fiiil to put his threats Into execution. Again and again, with dasped hands, 
and a heart tortured to distraction, she supplicated the protection of Heavea, 
and implored for death rather than to be doomed to that fate with which she 
had been threatened. 

** My poor mother," she exdaimed, " bow terrible will be thy sufferings 
when thou bearest of the unhappy, the dangerous, the degrading rituation of tby 
child I— And thou, my brother, what can ever appease thine anguish ? But thou 
wilt not rest, I am conrinced thou wilt not, until thou hast devised some plan 
to rescue me, aud I will not yet entirely despair. No, there is jet room for hope, 
however small it may be." 

Little, indeed, was there any cause for hope, and when the morning dawned, 
which Osmond bad informed her must make her his bride, its rays were en- 



THE robber's foundling. 207 

iMy exdngubhed io ber bosom, aod the gave herself up for lost. Slie tremblfd 
,ate\'ei7 footstep sbe beard, lest it sboald be the robber-chief coming to put his 
threat into eiecatioD; and at length her feelings were worked np to such a piteh, 
that they were almost iosapportable, and the ezposcalatioas of Blaoche were com- 
pletdy lost upon her. 

In this mamiery the nMimiog past away, and Osmond did not make his appear- 
ance » bat she was continoed from one circumstance, that his resolaUon was 
unaltered. When Blanche entered ber apartments first thing in the morning, 
she brought with her a beautiful bridal dress, which she informed Lady Mar-* 
gnerite she had been commanded by Osmond to de^bre her to attire her- 
self in. 

Marguerite turned from it with a look of disgust, and a feeling of wounded pride 
and modesty which needs no description, and then said :— 

'* Take it away, good Blanthe ; never will 1 consent to assume a dress so* 
contrary to my feelings !— The bare tbouifht of an union with that fearful man, 
strikes the most indescribable horror to my heart, and neither force nor anything 
else shall e?er make me yield my consent to become his bride. No, be shall 
stretch me a corpse at bis feet first." 

Blanche could not offer anything in reply to this, but the assurances of ber 
deepest sympathy, and the time passed on until the afternoon approached. Tliey 
could, at iotemUs, hear a considerable bustle in the place ; persons were passing 
hastily to and fro along the different corridors and galleries, and e?erything 
gave alarming note of preparadon. In the same manner, the afternoon wore 
away, and evening sat in, and still the robber-chief, much to the astonishment of 
Lady Marguerite, did not make his appearance. At length,, howner, sbe beasd 
a hasty and heavy foot Ail approaching along the gallery, wUeh opened upon the 
suite of apartments in which she was confined ; her heart beat violently against 
ber side; a deadly chill fell upon her limbs, and convulsed ber whole frame, 
and she was so violently agitaRed altogether, that siie could with difikulty support 
herself t she was not long kept in suspense, tiie room door was thrown open, 
and the neit moment, Osmond, the robber-chief, stood befnre her. 

He was very elegluitly attired, and his whole appearance was so diflerent to 
wlial it had previously been, that Lady Marguerite coukl scarcely believe it 
was the same. His tall and commanding figure was sbc^n off to the best advan- 
tage, and there was a smile of joyful expectation upon his stiU handsome coun- 
tenance, which, under any other circuoMtanoes,* would have created interest and 
admiration. 

He advanced towards LrfMly Margnrite, who was too modi bewUdesed and 
agitated to offer any resistance, and taking her hand, pressed it respectfully to his 
lips, while he said :— 

"Beauteous Marguerite, Osmond comes to claim his bride t this evening 
makes thee mine for ever !— But how is this ?— No Itridal dress ?<~No prepara- 
tions for the ceremony ?" 

** Stand off, robber {—outlaw !--assa9»in !" cried Marguerite, indignantiy, and 
tearing herself from his hold ;— <' thy touch ; thy sight Is loathsome to me ! Msr- 
guerite become thy bride !— Oh, sooner would she die beneath the murderer's 
bhule ; rather would she court tiiat death with whicb thou didst threaten her to 



208 KRNNB8TINK DB L4CT ; OR, 

ber bratli^ ; Rny doom, bowefer bonrible, it preferable lo a Ufe of tbtnie aotf 
degradatioo witb tbce !" 

«Nay, sivieet Margaerlte," retortied Osmondy in ao intioiiatiiif toiie» ''me- 
tbbiks tbott art um> lefere. Tboa mast not treal me witb tbit freezing cobhieMy 
wben I swear tbat tbou bast foil possession of my beart, and shall icedve every 
.affectionate lodolsence and attention wbicb tbon canst wisb for* It is trae, tbat 
in order to stay tbe efliision of blood wbicb would otherwise have taken |4aoe« 
I did threaten tbee witb death, unless tby brother did withdraw, bis focoet, b«t 
tbfaikest tbon that I could ever have perpetrated the deed ?->0h, no» no |-« 
bttt, come, tbe priest awaiu os ; my Impatient feettngi will not brook ftttber 
procrastination ;.to tbe chapel ! to the chapel !— >Attend ns, Blanche !" 

<< Release me, mfflan !" screamed Marguartte, stmggllng viUently itf bis 
grasp ; bnt her efforts were all onavalllog; and at length, overpowered with fear- 
and emotion, tbe maiden Muted. Osmond then raised her In his arms, and 
commanding Blanche to follow to the chapel of the castle, be hurried fhim the 
place. 

Ulric was true to bis appointment with 'Lord Raymond, and the latter^ 
aooompanied by Sir Egbert de Courcy, departed together, their foltowefs 
making their way in small parties, and by diflferent routes, lo prevent snsplck>n. 
They all met at the same time at the appolntrd spot, and Ulric was riready 
looking among tbe trees -near the mound on which the parricide*s stone stood, 
disguised, as before. In a monkish dress. 

<* Thou art faltbfol to thy promise, stranger,** observed Lord Raymond, ** and 
tbon seest tbat we are prepared. But tbon dost not mean to deceive us ?*' 

•< ffthon donbleat me.Lord Raymond,** replied Ukic, •* recnni. Tbon Itt^ 
decasesttherfaikl ran In seeking to serve thee, or tim wouldst not doubt me.'* 

<< Pardon me, stranger, if I have wronged thee," said Lord RaymoMl ; «M 
wfU tnist tisee.'* 

** Folk>w me, then. Immediately," said Ulric, **wt have not a moment to. 
lose» even now, Osmond bears tby sister to thealtar, to force her to become Ms 
bride.- 
«Tbe daring miscreaat I" oiied Lord Raymond, 'M will— «* 
<< Silence !" cautioned Ubric, Interrupting him, « there may be thoeenot for oiT, 
who might overbear us, and then all would be lost Are all tby followers here ?*" 
** They are," answered Lord Raymond. 

<«Qaick, then," said Ulric, waring his band, and bounding up the mount?, ; 
on which WM placed a rude cross, and near it, the parricide's stone. 
** I shall want the aid of some of these men, to remove tbe stone,'* sirid Ulrfc 
Sereral of tbe followers of Lord Raymond Immediately oifored their services, 
and by their assistance, the huge stone was removed from Its place, and revealed 
a trap*-door. This was raised without any dlAculty, and Ulric baring brought 
with him a lamp, by its rays the? bebeMa winding fight of steps, which ^he 
began to descend, motioning Lord Raymond, Sir Egbert, and tbe rest to fol- 
low. This tbey Immediately did, and on reaching tiie bottom, fonnd themselves 
in a large paved vault, from which three dlflbrtet passages branched. 

«* Let tby men divide themselves ; a portion of them following us, and tbe 
others Uking the other two passages," said Ulric ;-*<< they all lead to the chapel 



TUB BOnBSa'S FOUNDLIKO. 



of iba cutle, aod by thli uTUiieBeal, they wiU uke Uie robber* by urprUe 
Mul bj thtowlng them ilia oonABloa, probably accMupllib (bcitdtfeu wttknuich 
gmter ewe thao tbey n^lbt otherwise be abk to do." 

" I like thy coDDiel, atnncer," uid Lord Raymond, "U«h>U be auended to." 

The order was Imwadiately gtven to the tnea, i*bo, dlriding, took ih/a dlBerenl 
pamgei, being eompetled to grope tbtlr way aloof la the heal maaner llieyi 
conld, la the ilark, after having recelred Kuna necsHary luitroction* from lUric, 
be tbCD led the nay, aod Lord Raymond, Sir Egbert, atid the temalntfac of 
Iba men followed. 

The paaiage which Iha latter party had takes, wai o( great length aod 
wlmUog, bn( at lait they reached the Md «( It, and then /oond thcnielvn 
In ao eitenitre vanlL They ascended a flight or ttepi at the brtber end of it, 
and paued noder a low arehway Into an apartment of Hone, and Iher* Ulile 
paoied, and In B low, cautioui wUiper, Inrnlng to Lord BafOMnd, lald :— 

" Thoa tent yonder door?" 

" 1 du," anawered hi» lordiblp, tu a» equally low voice. . , 

"TliM opeoiby lonchioii a iprlng, wblch tbou wllteoally find, ,lmmedJalely 
behind the altar," lald Ulrlc, " thou wilt, by listetiiog, aicertalu the nottoppor- 
tiiu; momeut, Iben m*h bodly forth, and tear thy lUter from tUe pover of the 
robber-chief, and deal deilruciioD apon him aod bii daring gaug. I moil now 
leaie thee i act ititl) detennlnatlop and caution, and lucceai ia ceriaio. Fare- 
well, Mme tine or the other we may meet iguia." 

At he tbni ipoke, Ulrlc made a alga towards theduor, ai d tb^D huriied out by/ 
the aame way they hi 

No. 27 



210 BRNNB8TINE DB LACY; 0R> 

Lord RtfinoDd and Sir Egbert made a sign to tlieir followeri to be sUeot^ 
and then advaociog to the door, perceived the spring which Ulric had nieotioned, 
and listened attentirelf to learn whether they oould hear any sounds beyond the 
door. 

We will now retam to Lady Marguerite, w.ho was borne to the chapel 
of the castle by the robber-chief, whose passions liaTing gained a power al>ove all 
controttl, he determined to mikkt her his bride, as he had threatened, on that 
very night. Blanche followed, in obedience to the commands of Osmond, and 
deeply did she sympathize in the nnfortonate fate of Lady Marguerite, and 
mentally pray that something might take place to prevent it. Had she been 
aware of the conduct of her husband, how Lappy she would have been, and 
how readily could she hate forgiven him for having turned tiaitor in a cause 
upon which the future happiness or misery of an innocent, virtuous, and beauteous 
fiemala depended. 

Lights burned upon the altar of the castle of St. Alwyn» and a* venerable- 
looking man, dressed as a priest, was standing ready to perform the unlawful 
ceremony. The lights from the altar cast their lumens upon the gothic chapel, and 
the robust persons and determined countenances of the robbers assembled, 
gave to the scene altogether, a singulariy wild and romantic appearance. 

Osmond approached the altar with his insensible burden in his arms, and as he 
did so, sbe recovered, and opening her eyes, looked with a feeling of astonishment 
and terror upon the objects around her. For a moment her mind was so be- 
wildered, that she bad but a vague idea of what had taken place, or in whose 
power sbe was, but when she beheld Osmond gazing at lier with a look o 
the most ardent passion and impatience, all the danger of her situation In a 
moment rushed upon her memory, and recoverinf her Armnets, she looked at 
him with a feeling of the moet ineffisble hatred and dis Jaio, and endeavoured to 
release herself fh>m his hold. Osmond appeared to take little or no notice of 
Marguerite, and smiled In the most Insinuating and encouraging manner upon 
her, then tummg to tbe apparent priest, be said :— 

'^ Priest, let the ceremony commence; I am impatient of any unnecessary delay.** 

*< Oh, hold I holy lither ! If such, Indeed, thou art," exclaimed the maMen, 
energetically, ** I warn thee not to perform a ceremony which is unsanctioned by 
me." 

^ Heed her not,** eried Osmond, «< it is my mill that it should be, and 1 will 
be obeyed. Proceed I" 

" At thy peril prieit I'* shrieked Marguerite, struggling to release herself from 
the hold of the robber-chief. 

'* At thy peril, hesitate,*' commanded Osmond ; '* thou knowest me well.'* 

The priest beg an the ceremony, but he had scarcely uttered three sentences, 
when three blasts upon a bugle were heard ; jhe door at the back of tbe 
altar was thrown open, and Lord Raymond and Sir Egbert, with their followers, 
rushed forth, and dartecf impetuously upon Osmond and his gang, whilst tbe 
other two divisions of Lord Raymond's men poured forth Into the chapel, 
and commenced the deadly work of strife with desperate determination. Sir 
Egbert and Lord Raymond rushed simultaneously upon Osmond* and he was so 
completely bewildered and astounded at the unexpected drcnmstanoe, that he 



THE robber's foundling. 211 

coald offer but a faiat irtistance ; Mar^erita waa torn frQOi bfm by ber 
lover and ber brother, and immediately opon recogoi^iDg tbe m, »be ottered a cry 
of frantic delight, and fainted. 

Sir Egbert and Lord Raymond resided tbeir precious cbarge to ftie care of 
sereral of their men, with orders to force their way with all possible despatch to 
the wood, and to yield ber «p only with tl:eir lives ; and then directed tbeIr 
attention to tbe defeat of tbe robbers, who, having partially recoveied them- 
selves from the confusion into which the unexpected attack had thrown tbeiD, 
prepared to resist their assailants with all that reckloss bravery, for which ibey 
were renowned. 

''Damnation I" cried Osmond, foaming with rage, — ** betrayed ! — Whit 
treacherous knave hath done this? Slaves !— will ye suffer our enemies to 
triumph thus ? Prevent the escape of the Lady Marguerite, or perish in tbe 
attempt, and punish the daring intruders for their boldness !— On, on, 1 say, 
for vengeance, and Osnrt>nd your captain !" 

With kmd yells tbe robbers responded to the calls of their captain, and their 
companions having forced their way into tbe chapel, the battle became most 
saaguinary and terrific But, in spite of tbe opposition against them, those who 
had the charge of Lady Marguerite, succeeded in reaching the secret entrance 
under the parricide's stone, and ultimately made their escape to tbe Castle of 
St. Aswolpb. 

Dreadful, indeed, was tbe scene of carnage which prevailed in the tobber's re- 
treat. The curses of the robbers; the yells of tbeir assailants; tbe clashing of 
weapons ; the groans of the dying, all combined to render the scene one of tbe most 
indescrit>able horror. 

The fury of Osmond when he beheld his brave but lawless gang falling 
rapidly around him, exceeded all bounds, lit d he fought with a desperation 
which was almost resistible. He engaged with both Lotd Ra)mood and Sir 
Bgbert, and for some time with a skill and biavery, th^at tbey could, with the 
utmost tf fliculty resist, but when a portion of his gang saw that the enemy were 
gaining every advantage, and that liemostteovetpcwercd, ihry tncloMd him 
aod forcibly led him from thospot. 

Heaps of dead strewed the pavement of the chapel, and the blood of the 
unfortQuate victims flowed in all directions, but tbe cause of the assailants 
bore every prospect of being triumphant. 

*' Comrades !" cried Osmond, In a voice choked with the most inexpressible 
rage, " will ye suffer yourselves to be thus defeated ?— On, on to them again 1 
and rather sacrifice your lives than yield to defeat !*' 

Quick at the word, the robbers once more rallied, and for a few moments, 
fortune seemed to turn in their favour, but it was of short duration ; the 
brave Ibllowera of Lord Raymond and Sir Egbert de Conrcy, fought with a 
bravery unparalleled, and the robbers fell in numbers beneath the blows they 
deilt around them ; a few minutes, and It appeared evident that the robbers mnst 
be defeated, and Osmond and the castle In their power, ^hen suddenly there 
was a loud and appalling cry of fire, and quickly the flames were seen pouring 
into tbe cbapel in all directions. Fearful of tbe consequences, and that they would 
all be immolated in the scene of destruction, and having succeeded la thdt 



919 ERNNKBTINE DX !•▲€¥; OA> 

pffnd^ object, naoiely, fbat of rewolDg Udy MaifMrite from U« poww 
of the robber-chl«f { Lord -Raymond and hia bold ooadjuton now untied tbdr 
direction towards makhiff their escape, leaving the robber-chief and bia gang 
to f heir Ate. After some difflcnltj^ tbey succeeded in reaching the passages that 
Ird to the secret entrance* and finally ea^rgcd from the oMand, Lord Ragrmond 
aoA Sir Egbert then tvmcd thdr eyes in the direction of the lU-ftued castle, and 
beheld U In one mass of flames, while the appalling shrieks of those it contahied, 
mad who were niiable to eiAttt thefar escape from the deroiring element, rent the 
air, aiMl rendered it aitofetfaer, a scene of the moat awfal and imprcaslTc dca- 
cHption. The following moment, the walls fell with a terrific crash; a dense 
«le«d of smoke aad sparks aseeoded to the heafoos, and an immeosa pile of 
smoking ruins was all that remained of the once formidable and Imprcgaable 
Osstle of St. Alwya, which had for so many years formed the retreat of the 
robbers* 

Lord Raymond and Sir Egbert returned their tbanka lo Hcsven for thetrlamph 
it had allowed them to obtain, and for the prosenratldD of Lady Margnerlte, 
and then bent their way hastily towards the Castle of 81. Aawalph, anxSona to 
know whether Marguerite had reached there in safety. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

<* Amid the bittle's deadly Rtrife, 

Lorn and deserted now I go ; 
Reckless aboQt my hopeless lUe, 

Since thou hast sealed my doom of woe. 
But wilt thon drop the pitying tear. 

For he who thought he own'd thine b^rt; 
For be who loved thee too sincere. 

And who ne'er thought from thee to part ?** 

Woana cannot express the unbounded gratitude and delight of Lady Oelcs^ne 
and Em lies tine, npon the restoration of Lady Marguerite, a doien times at least, 
they embraced each other, and their tears of thanks fiowed so tost, that they were 
Qoable to gt?e utterance to their feelings. There was one cireomstance, howeter, 
which serf ed to interrupt their pleasure, and that was their vncertainly as the 
result of the affair, and whether Lord Raymond and Sir Ejgbert de Comty 
would, or would not return in fiafety, and immediately after the men bad de- 
posited Lady Marguerite in the care of her asother, they were dHpntched In 
their asHttance. They met the victors on tbdr way to St. Aswolpb, and aH re« 
tamed together again. We will pass orer the scene whkh followed ; hmguags 
must fail to pourtray it properly, and naitersal ddight preralled in the caaUe, 
for Lady Marguerite bad made herself, by ber amiable manners, nniversally be- 
loved by every one. 

No one felt more sincerely ghui at the restoration of Lady Marguerite than 
did our heroine, but when the former beard of the cboflagratloo of the caslk, 



THB BOBBBB's FOUNDLINO. 313 

tad np^oMddeitnietioii ofallltOMtiJjMdat the tlne»lier grief for tteloriUe 
aod iMlaocboly file pf poor BUocbo aod her hmktmdt was noft nobounded, 
which freling WM entered Uto by her hioCber, Smnestioe^ and all who beard 
Ity wheolhey were oiade aeqnaipted with the kind manlier in which Binoche 
bad hehaved to Mnrgnerite, and the idea the entertained thnt it was none other 
tbno Ulrle who had rendered sacfa an inestimabie serfiee to them all, by retealiiig 
to them a secret entraaee to the Castle of St. Aiwyo, and had that rendered 
their euoeset certain. Tbry despatched persons t#the mine to make every enqniry, 
and to seo whether any assistance eoold he rendered to tiie sofferers, but not the 
least signs of a homan being was to be seen, and nothing remained of tlie oooe 
formidable ediAcr, bat a shapeless mass of blackened nrfns ; It nppenrsd as if 
O s mo n d and the whole of his gang had perislied» for the Barnes had spread 
with suoh rapidity, that ail means of escape seemed to iM?e been speedily ont off. 

Lord Baymond and Sir Egbert felt grati6ed to think that they had destroyed 
those. daring maranders who had for so many yenrs infested, nnd been the terror 
of the cnnntiy,bQt»atthosame time J they oonkl not help pitying t^ awfblnnd 
nntoely hvt which, it appeared bnt too erideot hnd befidlm Blanche nnd her 
hnshaad i nnd from the dcecription which Lady Margnerite ga?e of the Inner* 
they had not the least donbl hnt that the man to whom they were indebted for 
their seoret admission into, the Castle of St. Alwyn, was the same Indivldnal. 

Tbn dmmstanoe eanstd a great excitement in that part of the country, nnd nl- 
though the wealthy were heartily glad thai they had nt last got rid of that des* 
peeate gang whioh had so frequently lightened their parses ns well as pot them In 
bodily (ear, tliere were many among tlie poor and hnoible wlio deeply deplored the 
fate of Osmond nod his followers, in whom they bad ftequently fisnnd snch 
gcnerons friends. 

Bot Osmond had not perished althoi«li it was with the greatest diflcnl^ he es- 
caped the terrible fate of his oomrades« all of whom had fhllen either beneath the 
swords of their assailants, or by the flames thnt destroyed the ancient and powerful 
cdiftoe which had for so many years afforded then so formidable a retreat The 
wlmle of the lower part of the castle was in one mass of flames, so that it was im- 
possible fv him to secure his retreat that way i and, indeed, the freatest portion 
of tho upper part of the bnildbig was blazing away rapidly, and escape seemed to 
1^ almoat impossible. With the greatest dUDcu^y he resched the door through 
which U)rd Raymond and his party Imd retreated, and hastened along the snbtcr> 
saneafi passi^ which led to the forest, bnt when ho gained the steps that com- 
mnnicat/ed with the trap-door over the secret entrance, his despair may be im- 
agin«d» when he fonmd it ckised, and that it resisted all his efforts to open it. 
hnA Baymond had not only ordered his followers to ftsteo the trap, but to roll 
the pooderons stone over it again. 

The mildness of dmperation now.seiicd npon the hrain of the robber-chief, and 
for a toeoi^ or two ha stood uncertain In what manner to act, bnt the suflbcatipg 
vmekM whieh made its way along the passage aroused him to action.— H« 
dffteroifaMiduot to IsU without inahing a resohue effort to sare himself. Evenin 
that fsarltil situation, vengeance filled his mind; that feeliof he bad not yet 
been able to satiate, and be could not, dare not think of dying, until he had ob- 
tainad the gratification for whkh he had so long been seeking. 



214 BRNNE8TINE Dfi LACY; OR, 

Drawing his mantle acrocs his mouth and ooitiils, to preveothis iobaliiiK Ike 
smoke, from <he effects of which he was almost blinded, Osmond returned by the 
way he had come to the diapel, and then the scene was truly terrific On 
every side an earthly hdl was rai^ni;, and the roaring and crackling of the fori- 
ous element, and the noise of the falling masses, were appaOing beyond des- 
cription. 

All hope seemed cut off, but battling with the flames, the same as the ship- 
wrecked mariner would with the raging waves, Osmond at last succeeded in 
reaching a flight of stone steps which led to the upper part of the castle, and 
in spite of their burning heat, he rushed hastily up them^ and gained the room 
to which they led after being severely scorched. 

The fire had reached this apartment, but the flames burned not so fiercely 
as in ^e other part of the fabric. Osmond rushed towards a lofty casement, 
which he dashed hastily open, and without giving a moment's thought to 
the danger of the leap, sprang from it into the court-yard. 

He was stunned for a short time by the hXX, but not hurt, and in a minute 
or two, starting to his legs, he ascended to the top of the wall, along which he ran 
until he reached the principal tower, to which he gained admittance, and having 
opened the gates, fortunately, found that the drawbridge was down, and conse- 
quently, he was qnickly enabled to reach the forest. There he had not been 
manymfaiUtes, and had been compelled to pause, in order that he might recover 
himself from theefl^s of the excitement and exertion he had undergone, when 
he beheld the ruins oi the castie fall, and nothing now remained to mark the 
spot where it once had stood but the walls of the court-yard and the towers by 
which they were flanked. 

Osmond placed his back against the trunk of an ancient oak, and folding his 
arms across his broad chest, fixed his eyes moamftiUy on the smoking ruins ; the 
proud and gothYc edifice of which he had so long ruled the master, was destroyed !— 
Where too, were his.bold associates ?•— Gone ! gone !— 'and a pang shot through the 
heart of the robber which he had not experienced before for some time !— It was 
nAny jtmn shice he had found himself, as it were, alone In the world !— A 
curse, a heavy malediction escape*! his lips upon the head^of those who had been 
the cause of the calamity, and then baring once more fixed his eyes intently 
upon the spot where the Castle of St. Alwyn had stood, he turned away; 
darted hastily onward, and was soon lost in the deep recesses of the wood. 

Amid the excitement which these circumstances might naturally be snppoicd 
to occasion in the breast of our heroine as well as the others. It could not be 
expected that the strange conduct of Godfrey In refusing Lord Rayaood and 
Sir Egbert de Courcy the service they required of him, could be easily driven 
from Emnestine's mind, and it caused her much uneasiness and perfAcxIng 
thought To what cause could she attribute it, but that ot jealousy, and wlikh 
bad completely destroyed'those feelings of humanity that had before so pwtlctt- 
Isrly characterised him ?— And when this Mea occurred to her. It occailoiiad a 
f(eeling of indignation in her breast, towards Godfrey, (who could thua, in ipila 
of her solemn asseverations, stIU doubt her truth) whi6b she found It impossible 
for her to subdue. But to act in that cruel and dishonourable manner to* 
wards a female, and that female the sister of the noUeman who hid stood 



THB OOBBKR's foundling. 215 

(orwrnrdio pre-tmlnently m hit (ricnd in the liour of daoger^ wm fOMi uopiy- 
dooable* and it was so waMke the gweral conduct of Godfrey, |hit tho was 
half inclined to doubt its reality.— 

The day after the restoration of Lady Marguerite to her friends, as Emnestine 
had «een nothio|f of her lover, neither did Ranuiph, hia father, or Hubert 
Cieosbam know anything whither he had gone, the beeame very unetsy, owing 
to bit mytteriont conduct, and unable to remain in the Cattle of St. Atwolph in 
to painful instate of suspense, she quitted the place with a determination to hasten 
to the residence of her fotter parentt, tocontalt with them what wus bett to be 
done, lo ascertain wMiher Godfrey was gone, the motives for his singular be- 
haviour, and what were his intentions. She went alone, although Lord 
Raymond wished to acoompany her, and wat proceeding along, buried in deep 
thought, when the wat tnddcnly ttartkd by btholdiog the thadow of a human 
iorm, rtflected by the rayt of the tun upon the green tward, and raising her eyet, 
slie beheld Godfrey advancing towards her ; his step was hurried but uattcady, 
and the noticed in a moment, the palenett of bit countenance, although it was 
ttamped with an exprettion of determination which plainly shewed that he had 
fully made up hit mind to tome detperatt act. On perceiving Emnestine, 
he started back a few paoet, and teemed to be tlightly confused, but he quickly 
recovered himself, and walking up to the maiden, he took her hand, looked for 
a few momentt intently in her countenance, and then, in melancholy accents, 
taid:— 

** Emnestine, we meet, probably, fbr the latt time. £re tba tun hath 
tonk behind the wettem hillt, he, who once flattered himtelf that he owned thy 
tov^, will be far fhwi that tpot where he flnt drew the brtath of life." 

** Onoe owned my love, Godfrey,** repented ourherohie, the teart trembUng 
in her eyet, and her boeom heaving with the variont fioelinp that agoataed it ; 
— *^ oh, thit it cmeL Tell me, Godfrey, how have I deserved it, and what 
it the meaning of tbitttrange and unnatural oondnct?** 

*' Unnatural oondnct !** 

*' Ay» didtt thou not refuse that service to Lord Raymond Sl^ Aswolph and 
Sir Egbert de Courey, thy matter, which the oomaMW <Hctatet of humanity 
shoald have prompted thee readily to have granted ?" 

*' I did, and the motivet that urged me to do to were tuch at, in my opinion, 
were tufBdently ttrong, and would prompt me to behave In a tiortlar manner, 
were i now itkcd to do a like fitvour." 

Bmnettlne gazed at him with a look of atlonlthment, ttproaoh, nnd faMredn- 
Uty, but he teemed fully prepared (6r the Interview, and thrunk not beneath her 
glaneet. 

'VCan thit be Godfrey de Lacy ? he whom 1 thought the very toul of honour ?" 
^ esclaiaMd; ** but no, no t thou cantt not tpeak the real icntlmentt of thine 
heart; tome wild infatuation hath taken poetem l o n of thee, and nrget thee on to 
actaofmartneta." 

** Emneatioe," returned Godfrey, ** thou maycti blame me ; thou mayett think 
me cruel, nograttful, nngeneront; bvt the motivet that guide my eonduct are 
to<»powerful to be retitted. I have bngttruggled with the demon thatragea 
within me; 1 have long endenvoared to atifle the thonghta that have gained 



216 SAKNESriNE DS I.ACT $ OR, 

pntMnUw of ttf mtod, bnl la vaio* EroBCfttae, I todir to bid thee flNewtll» 
probaMf a hfl^ Awewell t and ob^ oHif he^ qimmi w Iu m I bart placed Ihiae 
affesdoaty love thee as fondly aod sincerelj as I have doae.*' 

*< Godfrey/' cried ErnaestUie} hi a foioe of the greatest agitatioBy ** do not dis- 
tract ne. He apoa whom 1 have placed my alSwtleM—ol^ heartless ofoekyi— oh; 
shaasalesa lojostlce !--Qodffiey, hear bm." 

** Ooet thoa oot h»fe Lord Rayasoad }*' p as iisMa t i ly and la if at i e atiy ia tc ir a pte d 
the laipetooos yoaih. 

** I esttei^lBiy Godfrey ; nothlag oove^ as I hope for mercy hereaftas^" 

*' Esteem hh»!*' reiterated Godfrey, ia a tone 6f Mttcmoss ;«-<« oh, what a 
mocfceif Is that aame. Erancsdoe, ihoa dost deceive th«aeli; that passtoa* 
which thoa calkst hy so wroBg a aame, is love, issvcat love* 1 see kto ail thg 
oondaet loWards my fortanaie rival. In thlae fagarocss to hehi bla pvetenoc, m 
thyrelactaBee toqait the sameiDof beacathwlilehheiesldi*. Godfrey de baey 
bath DO foctooet no chaaoe of weahb^ bal that which he may acqalre by his 
own ex«riloas. St. Aswolpb Is rkb. Is noble, and hath a flattering tongae I 
ttrll thee, Eranesilne, thai thoo dost kwe him, and, moreovtr, that tboa will 
beoome his bride.** « 

« Qodfirey de lAcy," said the bloshlar damsrl, her ft^liags AsMtscd to the 
almost pitch of ladlgnatton by the maancr la which tbe hesdatroag yaanf ana 
^loke, aod the words to whkh he gave nttecanoe, <'thoa coaldst never have 
lot ed me, or thoa wooldst not act tbas. The poor gbrl, wbone truth tboa canst 
thns dUirast, coaid never have possessed thine heart*" 

•* Eanaestloe," ejaeahited Godfrey, alter a brief panse^ *^ thoe mayevt deemme 
crael^thcm mayest oall bm iiniast»-or thoa aiayesl deem me mad^ bat I esnaoff 
banlsb the dlstraodng Ideas from my. mind. TWak not, hefwe«er» that 1 wlU 
profB any obstacle to thyieal deskcs; no, fainat girt, my ptteenof shall do 
hmgir dlatarbtbee ; my mlod is made op. I go from heiite; aad while life's per*- 
pie corrent still flows within my veins, allhoogh another shall poeeem tUne 
heart, thine hand, my constant prayers shall be offered up to Heaven for thibe 
happiness." 

^ Oh, whither woaldst thoo go, Godlr^ ?*-WhHhrr wnahi tbis^lddetoslor 
harry thee ?" cried our beroiue In a vdea almeslohohed by the agooy of her fcd^ 
logs. 

^ <« To where the martial notes of the chaloo shaU mingle with tim greaas 
of the d|lDg and the shouts of the cooqotror," aaswcrcd Godfrey | ** to thv 
battle field, where 1 perchance may win a gtorioas name, or meet an henoaraUe 
death. Ufs lor me hath lost ks charma; all, aU now is a barren desert, dark = 
and drear; but I must away, Emoestioe, bless thee, lilesc ibee, in whatovcr 
stitlonef llie thoa mayest be ph^ed, aod ddga la thine orisoai someilmcB to 
thiubof bha, who, perhaps, may then be breathing his hat upon the Add of 
carnage. Farewell! farewell! fireweUr 

** rhou Shalt not leave me, Godfrey," shrieked our heroine, in f^ozM«rbenft^' 
and cUnglog to him ;-**' nay » nay, then eaasi liot, thoo wilt no be so ctael." 

«• Unhand me, Emnesllne,*' cried God*ey; ««my mlod is maden|i} nolhiog 
oan shake lae from my pnrpose. Agahi, fisieweli, and every blessing attend 
thee. Shooki U be ay foe to latara from the strife, aad I sboold win fer myself 



THB ROBBKa'f VOUHOLIIIS. 



U hoDonrabl^ ouat and iMiIod iu societ;, Clien, InileeiT', If I ghoiild.fitid that 
I btTC wronged thee, Md Uia»— but t dare not trnil myself wilb the briglit 
fbioD. Adieo! taiU we sever meet again, adieu, adieu for ever." 

" Hear met hear me, cinel man 1" exclaimed ErDDCidDC, ddirlouslj j— " oh, 
Ood 1 oh, Ood 1" 

Oodlrej de Lac; made no aniiver ; but Axing upon the poor girl noe look of the 
mMt intrnte ifOD]', he tore Llmaelf ftinif , and nuhed «iib the grtatol prfcipiia- 
llon from the tpot. 

"Oodrrejl Godfrey!" cried our heroine, with clMped hiDdii and distracted 
looki; hot he wu gone; aad, over7>owered bir her ftellngi, abe lunk upon the 
Mitb is a aute of Imemibllity. 

FortuDatelf, ia aplte of what EmDcstiDC bad lald to prercBt hit Bccompaorlng 
her, Lord RsyoioDd wai loducrd to follow her u a diilance, tearful (hat there 
might be aogie o[ the rubbers, who had, probably, ticaped from the deiirucllon nf 
Ihdr retreat, lurking about lo the wood, wbo might lake adTanlage of hrr 
■nproiecled ttate. He bad leen the meetjug between her and Godfrej, aod 
approaching oearer, and copcealiag hlmaelf from obiervition, be waa enabled to 
overbear part of the coDrenatlon which had paased between them. He now saw 
M once the mollrei of Qodfrej, Iu refualng la be their guide to the lecrtt 
entrance to the cattle of St. Alwja ; tad altboagh he could itot flatter Umself 
that he at pmeni poueased aay more than Emneatlne*! eateem, aa ihe bad 
taM, hia ungulne hopei tempted him to bellere that time would ripen that feeling 
Into one of a more tender nalure Id her brcsat, eipecially Id the absence of 
Oddfrey, whoie deternilnatlou be felt the utmost aatial^ctloD at. Tbeagiuilon 

No.2S 



218 ERNNB8TINB DB LAOT; OR^ 

of Bmoestiiie was logreaty that he was teferal tfmci half tempted to lotempt 
ity hut waa pwv e n te d by other ladings, and remabed lo the place where he h«d 
concealed hioiself antU the departare of Godfrey and the iniensibiUiy of Brmiet- 
tf ne, when, mshing forth« he raised her in his arms^ and after endeavoarliigy lo 
fain» to recal her to aplmatlon, he fled with tiM utmost predpltatloo. In the 
direction of the castle, where. In a short tloM, he arrived, and consigned his 
heanteoos burthen to the tender care of his mother and Lady Afargnerlte. 

It WM some time ere Bmnestlne recovered her senses, and when she did, the 
parting which liad taken place between her and Godfrey, was impressed opoa her 
memory In such painftil characters, that It did not seem Ukdy wooM be easily 
obliterated* Tlie mad Infatuation which had evidently taken possession of 
his senses, wlille It offended the innate pride which she poaiessedi caused her the 
atmost astonishment, so foreign did It appear to the general conduct of Godfrey. 
Convinced as she was, that neither by thought or notion had she given him any 
ooeaslon for Jealousy, she viewed his obetlnate p er sev er ance In doubting tier sin- 
cerity, as cruel and ungenerous In the extreme, and fain vrould she have re- 
talhoed by driving ills image from her heart, but love had flzed It too firmly 
tiiere to be ejected. And now that she knew he had gone to the field of 
deadly carnage, and the probability that he would never return again, she became 
almost inconsolable. In spite of his behaviour, never did she feel more fuUy the 
strength of the affection with wlifh he had inspired her, and she oould have 
made any sacrifice for his sake« Great as was the Injnstloe he had done her by 
the suspicions he entertained towards her, she could freely have pardoned him all, 
knowing as she did that it wm the strength of his passion alone which orinlnaled 
them. That she entertained an uncommon esteem for Lord Raymond, she never 
attempted to deny to herself, for the senthnent sprang from the purest motives, 
and such.as Innocence need not to be ashamed to acknowledge, but the difference 
of their station in sodety, and the disparity in their ages; would have been 
sulldent to have subdued any other hopes and ideas in her breast which hh 
numerous virtues and acquirements might otherwise have eadted. Neither could 
she be blind to the interest which Lord Raymond felt towards her, and she 
liad every reason to believe that Godf^ had not formed a wrong idea of bis 
sentiments, but at the same time she entertained too high an opinion of the 
former, to suppose for a moment that he would attempt to dispossess him of 
those affections that had been so long devoted to him. 

It was not without some difBcnity that Lady Marguerite, who was constantly 
with her, could reoondle her to the circumstance, and lead her to hope that God- 
frey would be enabled to brave the perils of the battle-fidd ; that he would return 
in salisty, and that foture happiness would be thdr portion. Slie could not be 
blind to tho real sentiments that Ernnestlne had engendered In the bosom of 
her brother, and although she fdt confident that the passion was an hopeless ooe, 
and one in which he ought, Ui honour, to endeavour to cooqoer, she could not 
but approve of It, and only regret the drcnmstaoces that formed the most luaor- 
mounuble barriers to the consummation of his wishes. 

At length, however, Braoestine did somewhat regain composure, and en- 
deavoured to think as Marguerite and her mother adrised her. Nothing cosld 
be more affectionate than the attention which they paid her, and the anxiety 



THE robber's POfTNDLINO. 219 

whtdi Lord Raymond erinoed ontU the bad recovered, was rafBdeot to aatiafy 
them of tlie strengUi of Ihefeelifip with which the had iospired him If they had 
had no other reason. In spite of all his eflbrts to the oootrary, Lord Raymond 
fonnd It in vain to attempt to stifle his passion^ and be oonid not hot look for- 
ward to the absence of Godfrey with a feeling of hope, that in time he might 
be aUe to coaqoer the objections of onr lierolne, and gain possession of her 
hand and heart Lord Raymond loved her not lor her beanty alone, bnt for the 
inestimable intrinsic qoallties she possessed, and a still more powerful, it might 
be called an faideinltefiBeliog galded his thooghts and wishes. He conld not gaze 
vpon her withovt a sensation darting through his veins, which he felt himself at 
a loss to describe, and whidi at times moved blm almost to tears. There was an 
cxpfetsloQ la her eyes, especially wlwn she smiled, and Indeed In the general 
contour ot her featnes, which so strongly readnded him of one, whom many 
years before he had known, and which iiad been the means of throwinf a 
gloom over his fatore prospects, thai he conld almost Imagine that being stood 
again before him, and the angoirii it cansed him, was of the OMMt acute des- 
cription* Ernnessine, with much confusion, frequently noticed this extraordinary 
emotioo, and was unable to account for It in any other way thail that she had 
ezdted an aflSeetlon which he considered to be hopeless, in his bosom. The 
Interest of Lady Ceiestine and her dsngbter, as has been shewn, was also drawn 
towards her in a most extraonlinary manner, and they felt as If they were 
prepared to love her fTlth the same ardent aiection as If she had been related to 
them by the ties of consanguinity. 

Smnestine havteg recov e red, and Lady Marguerite being restored to liber- 
ty, she consMered, having notleed the Increasing warmth of Lord Raymond's 
attentions towards her, that It would not be prudent to remain longer beneath 
the same roof, and, notwithstanding she ceuld not help regretting the dream- 
stances that compelled her to It, she expressed to her kind friends lier deter- 
mination to return home to Hubert Clensham and his wHe, and resisted all their 
opposltioo to the same, although they tried every means in thehr power to per- 
suade her to remain at the castle; They would not, however, suier her to 
part nntil they bad extracted from her a promise that she would be a visitor 
to them upon every opportunity wbch presented Itself 

Of course no one regretted more keenly than did Lord Raymond St. Aawolpb, 
the departure of Emnestlne from the castle, although they would be separated 
by such a short distance, and he could. If he thou^t proper, have an oppor- 
tunity of sedng her every day. So powerfril was the ascendancy which she had 
gained over his heart, that he could not bear the idea of bdng out of her presence 
even for the shortest space of time, and a presentiment took possesdoa of his 
mind, which he strove, but In vala, to conquer, that something would occur which 
would render all the hopes with which she had. Inspired him, futile. Hopes ! 
Yes,— notwithstanding all the obstacles that presented themidvesy he had been 
nnable to avoM encouraging them ; nor could he, with any degree of patience, 
make up his mind to abandon all idea of one day or the other being eniUikd to 
obtain her affections, and to make her his bride. The warmth of bis manner on 
this occasion, fally convinced our heroine, if she had required any proiQf upon 
the 8ul>}ect, of th^'reai nature of the sentinents Lcrd Raymond bafi ipibib^ 



220 SRNNBSTmS DB LACY ; OR, 

towards her» and wbcs the eatled to adnd bit tmaj noble qoalHieH she oooM aM 
Mp acknowledging to htMtlf that he bad ezoiied In her boaom a fioding el the 
greatett interest; bat jet It was a feeliog of a wtrj diffinnent Mitnre to that which 
some persons nigbt iioel indiaed lo interpret it, and one width she waa liersett 
at n loas to understand. She retvraed to the <* Fiagoo" laboaring under a de- 
pression of spirits which needs no detoriptloQ, and wbleh threaleiied, for 
aome ttmcy at any rate, lo bid deiaoee to all the eaevtioos of her friends to 
nllevlate. 

Ranulph de Laey and Bcttth lek mnoh nneaslaess at the hasl^ deleralnatloii el 
tb«lr son, and many were the tUanud forebodings they entertafned of the tee 
which would attend him ; but they could by no means blame theeondactof Em- 
ticstiae, neither could they oiler any eicnse for the Impetoodty with which 
Godfrey had acted, and at his ungenerous auspidoos as regarded the dnoerity of 
the eentlments the had con£essed to entertain townrda Urn ; yet, when tb^ 
weighed all the ckcamstanoes in their own minds, and reooUectei the many and 
marked attentlonB tbtt Lord Baymond had paid her, they eouhlnot be bUnd to 
bis reul feelings, u»d of the ample caaee which Godfrey bad to bejealousof 
bfm, although faeehonld not, nodoubtedly have snepeoted the truth of tfaeee vows 
which Bmnestlne had plighted to him. 

Weeks, months, nuny dreary months passed away, and ttUl Rmnestine heard 
nothing of Godfh-ey, neither was she or his parents able to dlseorer whom he had 
Joined, although the place of bis destination, of eonne, was well known to them. 
They could not obtain the least intelligence of him, and the amciety mad. nneaalnett 
of them all may be easily imagined. SometiaMS they gape themaelvea up entirely 
to despair, as regarded his fiile, concluding thut lie had ftdien on the enaaaguine 
Aeld of strifSe, and ut others^ hopea would spring up in their b o s o a m thathe wm 
still alire, and would return to safety, and to acknowledge the iojustioe he had done 
Emncstine by the suspidons he bad entertained regarding her fdth. 

Hubert Cleosbam had always been opposed to the passleu which exlBted be- 
tween oor heroine and Godfrey^ for the reasons with which our readers are ahready 
acqaainted, and he had songht by every means In his power to stifle It; not that he 
considered them unworthy of each other, bat decidedly on tiie contraiy ; when, 
however, the painful drcumsunoes took place that more strongly teatlAcd the 
power of that pasdou, he became less paiticular about It, more espedally as, ftom 
the number of years that bad elapsed since he bad heard anything of the 
stranger who had deposited Emnestlne when a child, in bis care, gave him good 
reason to believe that be had dther abandoned all thoughts of her, or otherwise 
was dead. 

Although they bad not thought proper to divulge the truth as regarded the 
mystery of herbirth,and.the manner In which she came under thdt protection, old 
Hubert and Maod had frequently inadvertantly let fall certain observations that 
ezdted her curiedty, and caused her to suspect that there was something more 
In connecClon with her than they thought proper to dkclose, and she often 
questioned them narrowly concerning It ; while the evadve answers she got in 
retom, rendered her more confident that her surndses were not witlioot founda- 
tion. Of one thing she felt certdn, namely, that she was not related to them, 
bat who were her.rebitiotts, or whether she had any living, and bow it was that 



THB ROBBBIi'8 VOUNOIilNO. 231 

tlie iMd com* ■nder tiM proletillon of Hakeit CItMlMuay and the ptMiitt of 
Godfrey, of ooorteihe wai at a lots to fonn eras tiie aoat wiola cof j cct o re. 

SdM weak altar week elapted^ aod ao lotelligeiice was faioed ot Oodfref de 
Lacy, and the angelth of bb paicnu and Broaettioe may well be ina^hiedyCs- 
pedally when the gallant warrion returned from the field of battle^ and be caoM 
notwkhtbeai. To no other oondsilenooaldtbeyoome than that the anfertnnaie 
yoang nan had fallen, bet theae of whom they fai^ircd, and who were the ONiat 
likely to know, conld not foraish them with any aatitfactory anawer opon the 
•ndjeel. Many and bitter were tbe teara that oar heroine abed to the memory of 
tiie ImpetnoiH yonth, and It waa a conaiderable time ere her boaom woold 
admit of the team eooaolatlon. 

In the aManUme, Lord RayoKHMl wm onremlttlngln Ui attentlont towards Em- 
nefiine, and they were of that kind which left her no loo§er room to donbt 
what was the natnre of his real sentiments towards her $ indeed his passion 
iMd so powerfbliy increased, that be fonnd it utterly imposrible for him to eoa- 
ceal it from the beaateoes ol^eet who had inspired it i and wlien the return of 
the army look place, and theae seemed to be hot little doubt of Godfrey baflng 
been shdo, he considered that he had no necessity any longer to keep his lofe 
a secret from her, and he, therefore* made to her a confession Im the omst glowing 
laaguage, aad eaergetieally endeafoured to prefail upon her to become his bride, 
wiUing to waive all okjeetloM arising from the dilfeience of their rank, thinkinf 
as he did, thai no sacrlice eonld be too great to obtain so rare a treasure. 

Our heroine heard him without any eipression of surprise, for she had long 
been prepared for it, but although she warmly gave utterance to her fieelinp 
of gratilude for the honour he did her, and could not help really cxperieadng the 
BMMt profound esteem for him, she declined the offer he made her. 

Lord Raymond received her answer with considsrable emottoo, and tried all 
his powers of persuasion, but without effect, and he, therefore, ceased, for tbe 
present. So urge his sut, although he did not entirely despair of socoem at 
SQBse fntire period, 

. In this manner two years passed awdy, and altbooch Lord Raymond had again 
urged bis vows, they were declined by onr heroine, althoogb not with tbe same 
resolution as she had done before, a drcumstanee which strengthened his 
lordship's hopes, aod he trusted that he should ultinmtely succeed. Time had 
now had tbe effect of mellowing the grief of Bmnestine, but oothini^ could ever 
lessen the regret she felt at the headstrong passions that had induced Godfrey to 
take tlie course he had, and which had brought about such an unfortunate 
result. Lord Raymond still persevered in his addresses* in which lie was aided 
by Lady Marguerite and her mother ; but our heroine needed no such pleaders 
to induce her lo regard his lordship with the greatest esteem, and could she have 
' been certain that Godfrey was indeed no more, she would not have hesitated in 
enouoraginf his love. At leoitth, however, when six months more had Bed, 
aod still the fate of Godfrey remained unknown, all hopes of ever again seeing 
him became extinguished in her bosom, aad she delighted Lord Raymond by ad^ 
mitting that he liad made a deeper impiession upon her than any man she had 
known with the eioeption ot her late lover, and referred him to her friends, 
whose consent if he could obtain, she woold not offer any obstacle. 



222 BRNNBIITINB DB LACT; OB, 

Od the wings of hopeful ezpeetatfoDy Lord Raynood bastooed to Rwralph ind 
Edith de Lacy» bat to his asmnlrfiiiicnt, they taforoicd Mm thai they coakt ny 
nothfng opoo the satject, and that the passion their uafofCiinaia aaa had 
imbibed for Eroiiestiiie had neferbefD saoctioned by them, as they had not the 
power to do lo. His lurdsljip with mach sarprise, laqulreiLwbfther EroMstliie 
had not been brought op almost entirely ander their ptoteotlon, and whether she 
was not related to them ? The latter question they deoilned aasweringt hat re- 
ferred him to Hubert Clensham. 

Blioe honest host of the " Fbgon,** eipressed his hearty thanks 9or the 
honour which Lord Raymond had Intended to his pfO#s!SV» bat HkeRannlph and 
his wife, he Informed him that he bad not the power to sanethm Ms add r ws cs to 
Emnestlne, snd moreofer, that he must reqiiest he woukl not persist in a salt of 
which be eooM not but approve, althooffh he had no power to encouiage It, and 
which, if ha pcisevercd In urging, wouM, la aU probability, not only invoke Mm 
(Hubert) and his family In trouble, but might also be producthe of much nn- 
happiness to his lordship. 

Lord Raymond looked astonbhed ; the words of Hahert were eonplelelj Ineom- 

preliensible to him. 

« Wh7,'*he ezdalmed,<<hast thou not the power to sanction my a ddres s es ? 
Is she not tby rehitlon ? Art thou not her only protectors, and, consequently, 
the only persons who have any power over her actions ?** 

« Do not, I beg of thee, my lord,** sidd Hubert, <<do not pfcasme tothalwhkh 
t cannot answer; but endeavour to atflle this unhappy passion wMch I tear me 
can never be giatifted by the possession of the [object which hath Inspltnd \u** 

** Botlbou wouldst have given thy consent to an union between God6ey and 
Ernnestine,*' said Lord Raymond. 

<«Not at present, my lord,** answered Hubert, << they must have wailed natll 
such time as I had the power of graating ny assent; and I am willing to give 
thee the same promise, my lord, should the power ever be delegated to me.** 

** Thou speakest In problems. Master Hubert," observed Lord Raymond, 
** but f am willing to accept thine oftr, and trust It wUl not be long ere this mys- 
tery is explained, and I shall gain the consummation of my wishes.** 

With these words. Lord Raymond quitted Hubert, and hastened to our htroiac 
to inform her of the bad success which had attended his application. 

JSmnestine heard the account given by Lord Raymond of his interview with 
her supposed relatives with much astonbhment, both on account of their 
rejectiiip so wealthy a nulter, and the mystery of their manner. She had, 
however, fluently noticed circumstances in the behaviour of Hubert Cleas- 
ham and hb wife, as also in that of the parents of Godfrey, that bad ezdted 
her fimazement, particularly when she questioned them abont her parents, a sub- 
ject which they always^sought to evade, and there were times when it caused con- 
siderable speculation in her mind, and she was often inclined to conjectore that 
they were not actoally related to her. And now the reception which tbe suit of 
Lord Raymond, and the observations they had made, more than e^er streng^ened 
these surmises. ^ 

** It is strange*,'* she ejaculated, aftf r she had listened to the statement of Ms 
lordkhip ; ** there is sume mystery in this which I cannot fathom.** 




THB robbbr'b foundlino. 223 

''There certainly It a great deal of myttery in the cireoiiitlance»** said Lord 
lUyineiidy *' and to me it it a mott painful one. The only eenjectare I can 
form it, that thou art not rdated to tbote that hate brooght thee ap, £rnuet- 
tlne.*' 

** Bat if not related to them, why ihoild tliey take tnch an Interest in my fate, 
and bring me up with to moch care And affection ?'* taid oar heioloe. 

** Probably they hnfc been well rewarded for doing to, my dear Emnettloe,'* 
retomed Lord Raymond, *' and to do them jnttioe, amply ha?e they merited any 
teward tht* y may hate lecd? ed/' 

** Oh, yet, tliey hate indeed,** eiclalmed Emnettine, her heart oTcrflowing with 
gmtltode, when the recalled to lier memory the innnmerable acta of l[indoess 
alie had eaperience d fn>m them ; " the doteit tiet of oontangainlty ooald not 
potalbly have rendered them more aatidnoat and aflectlonate. But thit idea 
hat taken tuch ttroog bold of my thonghu, that 1 cannot rett tatisAed ontU I 
hn?e quettioned them upon the tabject I will tnunediately make the inqolry.'* 

*< 1 commend thee for that retolatlon,dearett Ernnettfne,'* taid Lord Raymond, 
** and if they rciilly feel for thee that love which they have always profetted for 
thee, they will not hftltate to yield to thy importnidties. Alat|! Eronesttoe, 
no one hath more occasion to regret this tecret than myself, tince by it I am 
doomed to a ttate bordering upon detptf r. Withont thee, Emnettine, I feel 
that life would become to me a dreary blank, a void, flnom which no fature hap- 
pinett coold tpring ^ and I am pretumptuoot emtagh to think that thou, my 
Brnnettine, canst not look upon the uncertainlj of the consnmmatbn of my 
withet with Indifference.'* 

Emnettine looked np lo hit lordshlp't face with an ezprotskm of melancholy 
sweetnett, and the deep blushes of maiden coynett that tuffoted lier che«l[t, spoke 
a more powerful language than words could have done. Suddenly, however, 
the Image of Godfr^ ttarted before her mental vltlon ; her botom heaved with 
agony, and the wat unable to restrain the leart that gntbed spontaneously to 
her eyes, and ttreamed down her cheekt. Lord Raymond looked at her for an 
instant with a feeling of sympathy and fegret, and then taking her hand, he 



** Well, I can read thy thooghtt, lovely Emnettine, and think not that I wiH 
attempt to depreciate them. It It but natural that the ttreogth of first love, 
although the object that hath inspired It is no more— but forgive me, Eronestloe, 
1 know the subject caiues tbee the most poignant agony, and Heaven knows 
that I would not cante thee a moment*t pain. Nay, painful at would be the task 
to me, did I think that thou could'tt not accept of my hand without the tacrifice 
•f the katt portion of thy peace of mind, instantly would 1 abtolve thee from 
the promises thou hatt made me, and endeavour to view thee only in the charac- 
ter of an affectionate, a dHrlj beloved sitter." 

<* Oh« my lord," returned our heroine, ** pray for^ve me this weakness ; but 
I know thou wilt. In spite of every effort, memory will cling to the ofcrject 
which firtt lotpired our youthful affections ; but— I bare told thee my sentiments— 
I have not disguised a thought from thee, and when I again tell thee that, after 
the uofortonate Godfrey, there Is no other man that hath or con hold so warm a 
phice in mine heait*s affections as thyself, thon wilt—** 



224 BRNNBSriNX DB LACT; OV^ 

She ptosed, tod was mnble to ftnbh tbe leoteMse. Lord Rtymood nited 
*lier hand rRptvonsly to hif li|M» and devoured it with Idisot. 

'< Ernncstioe/' he c^acalated, <* dear Etiineatiac» I oooid oot, I did not 
doabt thy truth ; and this labt adiDOwledgment endears thee, if potsible, mora 
clotely Co miae heart than evor. I canooi describe the feelhug with widch thou 
liatf excited m^! It It not only love, hut aooiethiDf deierfing^ of a awre power- 
ful Dame. All my thoughts, my withes, my aflectlonsy my liopes, are drawn 
towarda thee. Each pulsadon thou feelest, 1 feeL I seem to breathe the 
same breath as thou dost, I imagine that thou art a portion of myself; that we 
are already united, and to be divided from thee and still live would be imposMbfe.** 

**The same feeling, my lord— *the saoie indescribable feeBng— animates my 
breast,** replied Emnesline. <* It is not the same senthaent that throbbed asf 
heart for Godfr^, and yet it is one» If possible, more powerful. I love thee not 
only for thy virtues, but bccane an instlDctife foioe seems towhlapcrBieitia 
my duty so to do." 

<* Strange, unsooodntaUe feeling!" ^acuhued iiord Raymond, *' what can It 
mean i" 

A hollow laugh at that moment smote his ear, and Ernnestine, terrified^ 
dung doeer to him, and following the same direction as his eyes, she bebekl 
steading pear them, with his cowl drawn over his face, tbe tall figore of a friar* 
It was but an instant, however, that they were permitted to see him, for 
waving his hand in a menadng attitude towards Lord Raymond, he darted 
Cnrward, and was soon lost from thdr view, and before Lord Raymond had re- 
covered from the astonishment, not unmingled with a feeling of awe, into which 
his appearance had thrown him. 

** Who ean that mysterious man be,'* sdd our heroine, who was at first very 
much alarmed, but shortly regained her composure, ** and what purpose could 
have brought hhn hither?" 

** Twice or thrice before hath that figure crossed my path,^ observed Lord 
Raymond, ** and even dared to utter threats in my ear. Ah !— Osmond^ 
the robber-chief, the change which I saw exhibited to me by Hal of the Glen, 
exactly corresponded with that of him and this mysterious monl['. And then 
tfaeb stature, tfieir fieatnres, their voices, all resembled each other so closely, 
that-" 

** What meanest thou, my lord ?** said our heroine, with astonlahttient de- 
picted in her countenance* 

** That tbe man we have just seen is Osmond, the robber-chief,** answered 
Lord Raymond. 

<< Impossible i" ejaculated Ernnestine; «' have we not every reason to bdfove 
that Osmond perished wHh hb daring associates In tbe flames that destroyed 
the castle of St. Alwyn ?" 

** He may have esceped,'* returned Lord Rayasend, ** and the fisar of being 
detected and brought to punishment, would have been sufldent to have Induced 
him. If even he had no other reason, to remain foe awhile concealed." 

** Oh, no, my lord," said our hercHoe, ^ I do not think that is probable. Be- 
sides, thou sayest that this apparent monk hath used threats to thee, and—" 

" And, therefore," added I^rd Raymond, «« doth it render my conjecture the 



THB. BOBBER*! FOtlllSLINQ. 



iBOre llkdri Aoee Oamond mxl* lue at tbe fame tfareaia to me, mod atou la 
Haigaerite, wheo tbe vm In Ub poiMr, n tbmi hwt b««H her nT>" 

" Bm why ilKMihl OtBOod M bnt IbreMeMd tote, ttj lord ?" lAed BrantidH, 
" boiit MHddit tbon, prior to Ihe atUok wbich thou dldu'skke upon U« rMitit, 
HMteaKJted nil veBfouiGe r nd If Uwn hadit, Muelr be Iwd plesiT ofoppar- 
tnolilM of pnWng Ui dtdgni Into oiecatlon, w often u hi bath been neu ttaj 

"Thai, Dy love," lepUvd BL Atwolpk, "<• na ■mblgnll; whlcli I MDOol 
wire; bal that ibli fivy friai and iba robber cUef are epe and the aame 
p«r*on, li M powarfullj ImpraMed upon mj i^d that I oansol divetl mjMir 
atU; poma mlMbUf li broodog, and I mnit be wilchful and wary Ibat the 
■McUnBtUnof tbe f Dill; danoliuccced. BbI come, BniMitine, lei nihaitan 
M lb* cattle, for tbara may be danfer In remaining where na aro. I 
eannot MlTer (bee to retarn bome wlthonl being attended b; tboae who may 
protect thee from any bano wblcb mlgfat Dtherwtae belnl thee." 

Bmneatfne, who conld not qnaitlon the pradence of hit ttep. Hflared bia 
lardtUp to tftko bar arm, in tUeace, and acoompanlad htm to tba caatle af 
8I> Aiwalph, freqnenti; tooklng back, and expecting ^ain to encoonler the 
tall Bfnre of the mplarloni gray fifar. 

U>rd Raynoad made hit mother and tbe Lad; Hargnerlte acqo^tnd both 
Witb tbarMnlt ef fablnlerTltw vllh the frleuda of EmnetdiM, and tbe adven- 
tnra wttb the nytterions monk. The SrtI cireamMance oanied in tbair mlndi 
aa macb inrpriaa and regret, ai II bad occaaioaa^ Lord lUymoad and onr hero- 
ine, and (hey coold not bnt agroe with (hem Uml (here wai euntlderable myt- 
lery attached to tba conduct of Uubeil Clfuliam, and iUaolph and hit wife, 

Mo. «9 



326 XRNIfSSTINE DB LACY ; OR, 

and they warmly approfed of tbe reiolatioo wblch Eraoegtine had came to 
qocttloB tha former narrowly upon the tohject. The appearance of the monk 
alio canted them much astonishment and alaim, especially when they were 
told by Raymond of the former meetings he had had with the same mYSterione 
being, and the threats he had held out to him, and they were unable to coaw 
to any satisfiictory conclusion upon the subject. 

By tho urgent persuasions of Lady Celestlne and her daughter, Emnestine 

was pre? ailed upon to remain at the castle till the morning, a domestic being 

despatched to the house of Hubert Clensbam, to inform bim of the same, and 

the reason i and the remainder of the evening was passed in conversing upon 

the circumstances of the day. In speaking of the former meetings which Lord 

Raymond had had with the apparent monk, and the threats he had made 

use of to him, the agitation of the former was very evident; he fre^ently 

see m ed totally abstracted from everything in deep thought, often sighed deeply 

and appeared to be suffering from some painful reminiscence recalled to his 

mind I bnt when his mother and Lady Marguerite questioned bim mors 

closely, bis emotion increased, end he begged of tl^em to desist, and requested 

of them permission to leave the room for a few minutes to recover himself 

This only served to increase their anxiety, but seeing the emotion it caused 

him, they reluctantly dropped the subjects hoping that dme would unravel 

the mystery te their satisfaction. 

In the morning. Lord Raymond, who had regained his conposnre, attended 
by several domestics, accompanied our heroine home, and after a short time 
passed In conversatlen with Hul»ert and Emnestine, he returned to the castle. 
'That day oar heroine had resolved to question Hubert upon the subject which 
so completely engrossed her thoughts, and he broached it himself, by infbrming 
her of tfe application which Lord Raymond had made to him, and the 
answer he had been compelled to return him. 

'* How, dr,^' ejaculated Emnestine, with, unfeigned surprise, and fixing 
upon Hubert a penetrating look, " are not thou and my foster parents tile only 
protectors I have ever known ; the only relatives that 1 have In the world? 
who then hath a right of disposing of my band if thou hast not ? " 

"Emnestine, my dear child,*' said old Hubert, much agitated, <^I 
repeat that I have not the power so to do, or how willingly would I give my 
consent for thee to become the bride of dot so worthy of thee, as the noble 
Lord Raymond St« Aswolpb." 

** MThat meanest thou, my mdre than ftther V* ejaculated the astonished 
Emnestine ; ** there Is some mystery in this, which I cannot fathom.^* 

" The greatest misery is threatened to me and mine, should I do so,** an- 
swemd Hubert. 

" By whom, and from what motives ? Oh, tell me, I implore thee V* in- 
terrogated our herohie. 

" By one whom I know not,*' answered the old man. 

"One whom thon knowest not?** said Emnestine. " I caimot understand 
thee; for Heaven*8 sake explain thyself? this suspense Is Insupportable.** 



THE robbbr's foundling. 22*J 

** Enmettine ,*' said Hnberr, after a pause, doriof which ha anileaToared 
to collect himself for the task, '* I fear thy sotpense will be little alloTiated 
by that which I can refeal to thee* There is a secret connected with thee, 
which I was enjoined not to disclose nntil thoo badst arrived at the years 
of maturity. That time hath now come, and I think It my doty no longer to 
keep thee in i|:norance of the extraordinary circamstaoces that placed thee 
under my protection. Ernnestine, thou art in no way related to me, or Ran- 
ulph and bis wife I" 

** Gracious Hea? en I" cried oor heroine, starting from her soat In a state of 
the most violent emotion, " Is It possible ? who then are my relations V* 

" I know not/' answered Hubert. ^ 

" My parents," gasped forth the trembling maiden, " Who are they I Do 
they still live 7 and why was I abandoned to the care of strangers ?** 
: '* Calm thy agitation, Ernnestine," said Hubert Clensbam, ** and littan to the 
strange story I have to tell thee." 

*' I will— I will—" hastily ejacnUted our heroine, *' but pray be quick.*' 

Old Habert went to the door to see that there were no listeners, and then 
drawing his chair closer to that of Ernnestine, deUiled all the parUculars with 
which the reader has been mftde acquainted at the commencement of this nar- 
rative. 

With the most breathless attantion Emaestine listened to thb extraordinary 
recital, and when Hubert had eome to ihe conclusion, she clasped her hands 
vehemently together,and raising her eyes towards Heaven, stood for a few mo- 
ments In speechless astonbbment. 

"Oh, Godl" she st length exclaimed, " how wonderful are Thy ways I— but 
alas ! how little cause for satisfaction have I at this disclosure, since it 
shews to me the uttur misery of my state ; deserted by my parents, bur- 
thened upon the bounty of strangers, and knowing no one upon whom 
I have the slightest claim 1" 

" Ernnestine, dear Ernnestine; child of my adoption," exclaimed the poor 
old man, pressing the weeping damsel to his heart, and the big tears rolling 
down his furrowed cheeks, "say not to ;— thou art stiU mine ;— still the child 
of thy foster parents, while the current of life flows within their veins." 
I KruBOstine tried to speak, but the power of bar emotioDs, the tumult of 
thooghti that rushed to bar brain, choked her utterance, and she satumed 
the ardent caresses of the good old man, with ail the fervour thaiter bounding 

heart prompted. 

«• Alas !'• ejaculated onr heroine, after a pause, " would that I bad never been 
mftde acquainted with this secret, what anxiety would It have saved me. Pft- 
renu ! oh, they were unworthy of the name,— or they never could have abandoned 
me in so heartless a manner." 

" Say not so, Ernnestine," observed Hubert Clensham, *• judge tbcm not too 
harshly ;— stem necessity msy alone have driven them to such a course." 

«*Oh, what necessity couW be so stem as to induce them to dtsert their off- 
sprins V ' sighed Ernnestine. 



228 ERNNRATINB DB LACY; OB, 



« Perhaps, thy life was soogbt." 

** Oby no, ooy" retnmed our beroiDe, hWUy ; ** thoa tayeft I did not appetr 
to be more than eighteen months old when I was left so mysteriously to tbycmrt» 
and who could be monster enough to^eek the life ot 3ucb an infant ?'* 

'* Eronrstloe," replied Hobert, ** there are monsters in the world, whom tao- 
tives of Interest will urge to t)\e perpetration of any crime." 

*'Ah 1 thine obsenrations, dear Hubert, have suggested an idea to my mindi 
wbicb did not occur to it before ;'* said Erunestine, ; « the letter, too, that was left 
with thee, also, thou sayest, suted that I was ot noble origin ? ^Hast thoa 
that letter still in thy possession ?" eagerly inquired oar heroine. 

** 1 have, my child,** answered old Hubert,^'' for so must I still continue to 
call thee ;^l baye preserred it, with the utmost care, thinking it might some day 
or other be the means of bringing about a discovery of thy birth/' 

** Oh, pray let roe then see ll;**— said Emnestloe, in a tone of impatience. 

'* 1 will,*' answered the old man ; and he hastened to a little box which he had 
placed in his own private cabinet and carefully Incited, and taking out tide letter, 
presented it to the ansious nuiiden. She glanced over it with a look of the utmost 
cmiosHy and the deepest interest, and then proceeded to pemse the eontrats 
aloud)—- 

** The child entrvstad te thy care is of noble ongin, but by a ttranga chain of 
events, which time, may, perhaps, reveal, she is placed in thy charge, with aliope 
that tbon wUt acqnit thyself fairly, (which thonantnloinedtodo,} or tboumayest 
repent thy refusal when too late. Mark ;»the writer of this hath power to iqjura 
as well as to aid thee ; he la disposed to do the latter, and, for thj service receive 
the purse of gold left behind. A like »um shall also be forwarded thee on the same 
day of the month, every year, for the trouble thou mayest be at. Thoa art re- 
quested to bring her up with the most studious care and affection, and do qot let 
her know but that she is thine own relation, until such time as circumstances 
may^render it necessary, or thou mayest receive instmctioos as to the same. 
Thou mayest call her Emnestine. Remember these injunctions, and obey.** 

''This letter throws not any light upon the subject,** said our heroine, after 
she had two or three times read It ;— " the characters are written in a mllle hand 
evidently, and the commanding tone in which it is couched, pleaset me not. 
Tbou sayest the stranger who brought me to thy house, was noble and commaatf- 
Ing ?- 

*'He was,** replied Hubert, ** and a more handsome counteaanca I baipe sd- 
dom gazed upon ; but his features were impressed with a deep melaacholf.*' 

^'ThinkesAhou, that thoa should'st know him again, dear Habert?" 

*• I cannot say that 1 should, my child;" replied the old man; "for to OMtny 
years have elapsed since the mysterious circamttanoe took place. Bat, I bad 
almost Ibrgotten to tell Ibee that which strengtbeas my beUef that it was 
only to ssve thee from some terrible fate, that thy parents were induced to take 
the step they did." 
' " Ob, fell me, what was that ?" eageriy inquired ErnnestUie. 

''After 1 had admitted the stranger, and 1 saw the smiling and beauteous 
little innocent be bad with him," said Hubert, « myself aud Maud naturally 
evinced considerable surprise ; which he perceiving, informed us that thou wert 



THR ROBBBB^S FOUNDLING. 229 

the Ttctin of tjranaj and crnelty, and (hat he was eodeavoaring to ta?c thee 
fromaterrlhlefiate." 

c« Ah!**-- ejaculated Ernoestinei <*tbat doth, Indeed leeia to confirm thy 
Mumlaas;— the mekmcholy appearance of the stranger, loo;— sboold he hare 
heea mj father !*' and at the thought, her bosom heaved with a sensation she 
had nefer before experienced, and her eyes lighted up with an expression of 
mloffled delight and sorrow. 

** It might ha?e beenV obserred Hubert, ** but still something seems to 
whisper to me that he was not." 

<*Bnt hast thon ne?er seen the stranger since that night?" anxiously 
inqalred our heroine. 

''Navvr,** answered Hubert. 

** And the money which was promised to be remitted to thee yearly for my 
support ?" 

** 1 reodved the same sum the following year ;^t was left for me In this very 
parlour ;*-it was the last." 

" Strange," ejaculated Emuestine ; *' but yet doth that make it appear that 
my parents entertafaaed no care for me, after they had once got me off their 
handb." 

«*Oh, BO, misfortune may have rendered them incapable of fulfilling their 
promise, mv dear child !" 

** Or death," solemnly observed our heroine, aad tears, which she was 
onaUe to restraltt, nshed to her eyes. Hubert again snatched her affection* 
ately to Ms bosom. 

" Dear, dear Emnestlne,** he esdaimed, " weep not, weep not ^ should Pro- 
vidence ordain that the mystery cf thy birth should never be unravelled* In my* 
self, Maud, Edith, aU thou wilt ever find the same fond friends that we hare 
bHfaerto been to thee ; and when the cold grave shall receive this aged form, 
thank Heaven I have wherewith to——" 

** Oh, cease, cease, dear Hubert," sobbed -the deeply affected ^1 ;— " long, 
long may It be ere that melancholy time arrives. But Lord Raymond—" 

<« Thorn Unrest hhn?" 

<< I do ; but," and the maiden hid her blushes In the old man's boeem. 

«< But, as thou didst kfre the unfortunate Godfrey ?" 

^ Ok, BO, no," cried Bmnestine» weeping bitterly at the remembrance of that 
headstreog and lil-fhted youth who had wholly possessed her heart ; '* not as I 
loved h»m — but with a different feeling ;— a feeling I cannot desaibe. yet 
equally powerlnl ! But, alas 1— bow hard Is my £ste 1— Every hope->every pros- 
pect that my fond Imagination cherished, blighted ;— what is there for which I 
should wish to live ?" 

EruBcstine sunk in a chair, and covering her fiice vrith her hands, gave way to 
the violence of the grief which distracted her bosom. Hubert gazed at her 
for a few minutes with an expression of the deepest sympathy, theti paced the 
room apparently wrapped In profound thought At length, turning to our hero- 
ine, he took her hand gently, and said :— 

** Emnestine, my love, thon seest from the letter which 1 have shewn thee 
^ow I am restricted flrom disposing of thy hand." 



230 BRNNBSTINE DB LACY; OB^ 

" I do |-I do," etgerly replied our heroine, " bnt sorely the long silence 
of those ivbo, probtbly have a claim upon me, ought to be sufficient to do 
away with all such scruples, aod— '* 

"( know what thoo wouldst say/' interrupted Hubert, '<and have been 
serfonsly thini[ing on the subject; say, Emnestine, wilt thou agree to a proposal 
that I bare to make to thee ?" 

*' Anything, my more than parent,'* replied out heroine, her eyes sparkling with 
renewed hope, " anything thou canst propose to me, 1 feel it hi my doty to com- 
ply with. Nay, should'st thou command me to bid Lord Raymond despair, sooner 
than I would cause thee any unhappiness,— painful as It would be to me, I will 
yield without a murmur to the decree." 

*' Good, kind girl ;" cried the old man, embracing her with the utmost ten* 
derness, and kissing her cheeks ;— " but no, my love, I will not exact any such a 
promise from thee ; it is a cruelty which I feel, whatever may be the consequence 
of my conduct to myself, I could not Inflict upon thee. I would ask thee to wait 
for one year only before thou again rcqnesteth me to bestow tbine handapon 
Raymond, and if before that period ho one appears to claim thee, I promise thee 
that I will no longer withhold my consent." 

*' Promise thee, dear old man," sobbed the delighted Erunestlne, rHnming 
Hubert's warm caresses with equal ardour, "there is nothing that I could 
refuse thee !— Oh, what a weight of sorrow hast thou removed from my heart. 
Strictly, cheerfully will I obey thy wishes '.'* 

« 1 knew thou wouldst, my child," said Hubert, ** my gentle Emnestioe, I ww 
certain could never refuse anything to that being, to whom, by the will of Pro- 
vidence, f>he was In infancy consigned. Enough, enough ; wipe the tears from 
thine eyes and endeavour to be happy." 

Emnestine looked up in Hubert's venerable countenance with a sweet smUe 
of affection beaming through her tears, and there was more expressed In that one 
look, than a volume of words could have described. 

** And yet there is one thing more that I would request of thee, Branettine,'' 
said Hubert, after a brief pause. 

<*Name it, dear Hubert," she demanded, anxiously, '*thoa bast but to 
speak thy wishes to command obedience." 

" When thou mestlonest this interview to Lord /llaymond, as doubtless, 
thou wilt," replied Hubert, ** 1 most beg of thee to enjoin him strictly to keep 
It confined to his own bieast, until the allotted time bath expired, when 
all may be expUdned." 

** I will do so," returned our heroine, " and f^ar not but that hit lordship 
wiU ftdthfoUy comply." 

At this moment, Maud and Edith made their appearance, and the confer- 
sation dropped, Ernuestlne conquering her emotion, so that she might not at- 
tract their attention, -and thus occasion any further conversation upon the sob* 
Ject for the present. Old Hubert, however, made them acquainted with It at 
another opportunity, and likewise the resolution he had come to, of which 
they expressed their approbation, although, at the same time, a pang of the 
most intense sorrow and regret bhot tlireugh the heart of Edith v^hen she 
thought of her son, and the ardent affection which she knew had exUtcd b^- 



THE robber's foundling. 231 

tween him and the gentle maiden whom fate seemed to ba?e ordained, should 
become the bride of another. 

The neat day JU>rd Raymond hastened on the wings of anxiety to meet Emnes- 
tine at their usual trystlng place, impatient to hear the result of her interriew 
with Hubert Clensham. Our heroine recounted to him every particular, exactly 
as it had occurred, and the promise which Hubert had exacted from her. We 
shall not detain our readers by attempting to describe the feelings of Lord 
Raymond as he listened to her, and his joy was equally powerful when he heard 
the reasouabla request which Hubert had made. The despair which had prt- 
Tioubly began to settle on his heart was banished, and hope and happiness once 
more shed their influence over him. 

** Yes, dearest, loveliest girl V* he cried pressing her fervently to his heart, 
*' thou wilt be mine. Kind hope whispers to me that nothing will interpose to 
prevent our fates being united together !" 

A loud laugh of derision made them both start with astonishment, and £m« 
neetine dung to LiOrd Raymond with terror. He looked round, and beheld peer- 
ing between the folhige at their bach, the head of the mysterious monk who had 
before alarmed them; his cowl being drawn nearly close, concealing all his fea- 
tures, but just suffering his dark and plerdnji^ eyes to be seen, which were fixed 
upon Lord Raymond with a look of the most mysterious meaning. It was but 
a moment only, and, with another loud laugh, it vanished. 

** Again, mysterious bdng, dost thou appear to me !" exclaimed Lord Raymond, 
hastily drawing his sword ;»'* stay, I command thee. 1 will know who and 
what thou art, ai^ thy purpose with me 1" , 

He rushed behind the trees, sword in hand, as he spoke; but the monk 
was gone, and he returned hastily to Emnestine, who was so much alarmed at 
the circumstance that she could scarcely support herself. Lord Raymond endea- 
voured to calm her fears, and immediately conducted her towards home; 
where, after some discourse upon the singular event, they separated, and he 
dkected his steps towards the castle, indulging In the reflccuons to which it 
was naturally calculated to give rise. 



CHAPTER XX. 



** No one his face had seen, a veil 
Of mystery hung upon his actions, 
Dark, and unfathomable !" The CniBFTAiif, 

About this period a great sensation was caused in that pari of the country in 
conseqaence of the actions of a mysterious individual, who had received the 
appellation of the fFMte Knighi, on account of his always appearing in white ar- 
mour, and mounted on a milk wlyite charger. His figure was tall and powerful, 
but no one had seen his face, always appearing with his visor down. His name, 
^idence, and real character were equally nnknown ; yet he was met with in all 
situations, and at all hours, and had been known to perform deeds of prowess 



1S3 SRNNBSriNE DB LACY; OB, 

Alt wouM Kcm to gife Urn aUaotC a Mpemailttrtl power» md IIM lUU with 
which he wielded his gUtteriug falchion never failed to defeat those whom he 
eoooontered. At tilt or toarnameiit the ffkiit Knigki was always sare lo appear* 
aad he never failed to surpass every other oompettcor in the ehivilroas spores. 
He ftt appeared ia a good caase ; lie had once saved the life of the Ung wtien 
attacked by robbers ; and wherever any outrage was eudeavonred to be ooiii- 
MiMedy he was aUnost always sdra so make Ids appear&noe to proteet the in- 
)«red party. 

This mysterious being bad caused the atmosfeiiriosity, and many were tbe ood- 
Jectmas that were fom^ about him ; bat all endravoors to discover his real 
diaraaer bad hitherto felled. 

ViSn had been all the eodeavouia of personi, whose wonder was ezdtcd by 
this extraordihaiy individual, to discover who he was, or where he resided^ and 
although many had been set to watch bhn, and to pnrsoe him, be invariably 
eeotHved to elud^ their utmost vigllaaoe. The king had requested hb name, 
alter he had rescued him from tbe daggers of the robbers, bnt he denned t9 
iiimish him with it, aud having seen htm in the safe custod? of his attendaota 
immediately galloped off as fiut as his swift courser oouid bear him. No wonder, 
therefore, that all these drcunsstaoces shotoM cause espeeial wonder, aad tliat 
the U^kU$ Kmigki should become tbe universal theme of oonversatloB aA ormt 
the country. 

In the back parlour of the ^'Vlagon," there nightly assembled a seteet lew 
^the prindlpal inhabitaots or tradesmen of tbe neighboorliood, to converae ob 
the passing events of the day, and to toast in deep pocaHons die health ot Em* 
oeitiite de Lacy, the << Payre Mayde of the hostdrye,** and the Bght of our 
heioiae's ghmces, which ever beamed with ktodness, was snflident to eshHarate 
the spiiits of these goodly bacchanals to such a degree, that they were apt to 
forget there was such a word as temperance in the ISngUsh UmguSge, though, 
by the by, it is nneenala whether, at tbe period of which the history tteats, the 
•vord bad been very clearly extended, or more strictly practised than It is at tbe 
present day. Albeit, the frequenters of the little back parlour before mentioned, 
from the deep Ubations in which they were in the habit of indulging, were toen> 
tainly no particular friends of it, either in theory or practice. 

The little back park>nr was kept ezclasively for the askemUage of the select 
few. Master Hubert Qensham occasionally JoUiing them, and at aU times being m 
welcome companion, for, when their conversadonal powers flagged, his lavoarlle 
song of <« More Sack," which he sang as merrUy as he bad been in thebaUtof 
doing twenty years before, never ftuled to raise thsir spirits, and to set tbembisk 
humour whkh was likely to prove most proitable to the promoter of tbalr 
hihulty. 

Notwithstanding the preeantlon which Hubert bad used to keep the at- 
tachment of our heroine and Lord Baymoad a secret, by some meaas, tMi 
Uttle clique of JbUy iadividuals sooa became acqoalated with it, and conaidenMy 
to his annoyance, it became tbe priadpal theme of their conversation la Ibelf 
evening meetings afterwards, aod the health and happiness of both Emnesene 
and his lordship were pledged so often, that many of them were brought to 
that state of blessedness, as to be compelled to take up their todging for tba 



THB I^OBBBB'b foundling^ 



•Igbt ml "Tbe Fligoo," much u thcBlarin lod aniletT oftiielr wlrn ud timi' 
Iki, ud tbe ceunre of " nine boit,*' nbo hwl lo bew tht bUme, tltkoufb 
liUMoedt ol the loh caoie of tbelr mluondact. 

It WW a teir week* after tbe dKaniiuiice which we ban reUied Id tta* -m^ 
4mu chapter, that the sane iwrtj were aiseinbled ai oraal, aad Hubert W«t 
In thdr companf. The Mn*er»*tioD, nneh to tbe relief of ihe laLter, turned 
apM tbe ^kiie Knigkt, and tbe wonderful deedi be had perfDnued, and each 
aiTogaled to hlmielf a lagaeitT abore hli fdtow, 1> fanning a conjecture ai to 
wbo he waa, awl bit real character. One mC him down for aoae gmt prtsce 
Id difutMi aaolhcr tor amadDBDi a third for a fordgo ipT ; a fourth fur.an 
•ril iFdrlt, and a Itrth for Ihe Jttj dMi liimaelf, and attribwed his good actions 
merely to the arliGcM said to be prKil>«d bf tail latanlc mv^'Vi I'm l>etter to 
entnare aod leooie bl* Tiethns. Words ran high, and the arsnnient did n^t 
•ppov likdr to be bro^l to ao; satiibctorr conclitalon, wbes, In the mid>i 
of it. a bcarr AxitfaU was beard approacbitiK the room, and belore they had 
lime collect Ihenuelvss, the door was thrawo bacic on iu binge*, and there 
(talked hilo the middle of tbe apartneni a taU figure, lo cacaplctel]r eoTelnped 
In a bage mantle, thai not a pordon of It oonld be uiiifactorily distingulibed. 
udUieManlemanee WM eoliKl; concealed fron observation by the mnn tie being, 
drawn over the head, 

Tbe company trembled with atlonlshmentand constcmaAiD, and Huhetl was 
M confated and tnrprited, that be was nnable to more from his seal, or to ask 
Ibe stranger the cuue of his Intmdon. The gnest* turned each »erjr pale, and 
the terror was tiot a UtUe Increased, when the mjif^rioos- looking ebjrct indnlged 
inalongandtoBiMDnslaaeb, wblebrererbarated Ibronghthc buiying, andtbeu 

No. 30 



234 £RNNB8TINS DB LACT ; OR, 

stalked ap to the head of the table, at which the indl?idual who considered him- 
self the priocipal of the party was seated, laid his hand upon his collar, and al- 
though he was a stout, burly man, uDceremoniously ejected him from his seat, 
with as much ease as if be had been an infant, and enseonsed himself in It* 

The company again looktd at each other with increased amazement, and the 
chattering of teeth and l[nocl[ing together of l^nee-pans, became very dbtinctly 
audible, whcreopon the mysterious stranger once more gave rent to a laugh still 
louder than the one before. There was now a general more among the affrighted 
guests, and one by one skulked off, until Hnbert was left alone with the mysteri- 
ous unknown. 

Se?eial moments elapsed, and Hubert Clensham remained in his seat, staring 
▼acantly at the stranger, and unable to give utterance to a syllable, but at length 
tbe latter made a bit of a movement in his chair, and then a loud and deep-toned 
voice from under the cloak, exclaimed :— 

** Master Hubert Clensham !" 

Hubeit crossed himself dtvoutly, mentioned as many names-of the different 
saints in the calendar as he could repeat in about a second and a half, and then 
said: — 

** Heaven preserve me * marry, and that Is me.*' 

** Hubert Clensham !*' repeated the stranger. 

"What art thou, man or woman, devil or mortal?" demanded Hubert, re- 
gaining his usual firmness, a latent idea crossing his mind, that, after all, it 
might only be one of his neighbours, who bad a mind to have a joke at Lis ex- 
pense ;— *' and why dost thou come hither thus disguised, frightening all my 
best customers away ?** 

'*That was the very thing I wanted to do ;" replied the unknown. 

*'Thou art very kind, truly ; but what was thy reason for wishing to do so ?" 

*'For the simple reason that my business was with thee alone.*' 

*' But if thy purpose is not a bad one, why dost thou not reveal thyself ?** 

*' Because I have a wish to Temaln concealed." 

** 1 like not thy manner, and *• 

*<'Hold!" exclaimed the myi>terious stranger, grasping Hubert's arm, as be 
was about to hasten from the apartment, with an Iron gripe ;»*< 1 mean thee 
no harm, ^rnnestine-— " 

"Ah! what knowest thou of her?" 

" More than thou dost perhaps Imagine. It Is now about eighteen years since 
«he was consigned to thy care by a young man who sought shelter in thine tiouse.** 

" Ah !" exclaimed Hubert, starting, and looking more narrowly at the unknown, 
•' how knowest thou that ?•* 

'* No matter. A letter was left with her, in which thou wert strictly eiOolned 
to protect her, being the victim of tyranny and cruelty. It also kiformed thee 
that her origin was noble." 

«• Oh, stranger," said Hubert, anxiously, "thou evidently dost know every- 
thing relating to the poor damsel ; in pity, then, to her, I beseech thee to rcrcal 
this long hidden secret, and—" 

" Not yet,~not yet," interrupted the unknown ; " cli cumstances will not per* 
mitlt. She loves Lord Raymond St. Aswolph.' 



tt 



THK ROBBEBT's FOUNDLING. 235 

** Trne^ true— but how knowett thon that ?** 

** Lord Raymond would make her hit bride," continacd the ttranger, wiUioul 
heeding the quettioD of Hubert } " I have anthority to tell thee that thou raayest 
eocoorage his laity and on the day of their ou|itiaU» I iM-omite thee that the 
secret of the maiden's birth shall be rcreakd. Remember, none other than L>ord 
Raymond St. Atwolph must be the husband of Erancstine de Lacy V* 

Ha?iDg giving utterance to these words, the uuknown hastened from the room 
before Hubert had recovered from his astooishment ; he, however, quickly fol- 
lowed him, and orertook him at the threshold, where the amazed guests were 
assembled, and were gazlog with looks of the most unfelgaed astonisbmeni and 
awe at a beautiful milk whit^ charger which stood at the door. When they 
beheld the uuknown approach, they fell back with terror depicted in their coun- 
tenances,^ and he strode wilh a stately air &om the house, sprang upon ihe 
courser's back, and dapping his spurs in its sides, away it flew with the speed of 
fightoing. When ha had got to some distance from the house, he threw aside the 
mantle In which he had been concealed, and there was a simultaneous shoot of 
surprise arose from the beholders, followed by exclamations of, 

^ The White Knight I llie White Knight !" 

It was, indeed, that mysterious being who had sought an intenriew with Hu- 
bert Clensham, and before he had tioae to recover from the astooishment into 
which the discovery had thrown him, he was out of sight. 

The bacchsnals looked at one another vacantly, but they were all too mach 
fl4bbergasted to make use of any observation. There was a subject for their 
evening discussions I Here was a thing to talk about!— They had actually 
been in the very company of the veritable, bimajide White Kuight, the mystery 
of whose conduct was at that time creating such an extraordinary sensation 
all over the country 1 But they recollected it with feelings of horror i for that 
he was not a being of this earth, they now one and all agreed. But what could 
be haie come there for ? — And what bad passed between him and Hubert ? 
They must be made acqnaiuted with all the particulars. They walked back to 
the parlour, thinking that Hubert would Callow them, but in that they were 
disappointed, for Hubert was too much astounded by the ciltumstancet of the 
eveniog, to subject himself to their idle scrutiny, and retired lo his own private 
room, where he found old Maud, who, having been taking a comfortable nap 
in her old arm-chair lor the last hour, was ignorant of what had occurred. 
Hubert quickly made her acquainted with what had uken place, and the amaze- 
ment evinced by the old woman was as great as may be expected. 

** Blessed Virgin!" she ejaculated, *'how thon dost surprise me, Hubert! 
—But art thou certain it was the real, riitht down earnest White Knight ?** 
, ** Positive, Maud," replied her husband. 

*< And that be talked to thee in the manner thou hast described to me ?" 

«• Word for word." 

*< Wonderful ! wonderful !— This, then, must be some relation to her ^— her 
father, take my word for it ; and he is some great nobleman,— perhaps a duke 
or a prince, in disgnise ; and our dear, dear Ernnestiue will turn out to be a 
line lady !" 

Tears of joy ran down the poor old woman's cheeks, as these .flattering sur- 



236 fiRNNSSfrNB DS lact; ou^ 

misei darted upou her imB^tMou^ and Habeit wm m decfily affctad as 
herteir. 

«« Oniy to tMiik, tcMy*" ooBliaved Maud, ** oaly to tbiak that fh» lajaodtlofia he 
gave thee should so well agree with oar wWwti aod those of Krooesttoe. Oh| 
how delighted will Ms lordship be, when he Is IMide acqoaiuted wkb l«r 

'< But 1 think It wo«M M advtoable not to let Lord iU^moBd know aBythlBg 
at all about it," said Hubert, '* and i iiiMt» therefore, re<|iiest thee, dane, to be 
silent upon the sobjeot." 

" Well, weU ! i w4U do as thoo wisheit me, Hohert/' said the old woosaa, 
** but oh, dear ! I sbaH be all impfttieaoe- aiitil the daf of the ooftials of oor 
dear child and his lordship, wfaeo the aysterjr of so loany years wUl be anravelled, 
ftod we shall be made acquainted wM who BmaoMlae really b, aad all the 
particolars about her parenu. But, bins me, where cmi the dear oUftd t«rry ? 
^It Is getting hrte, and hark how It ralaa/' 

*' Ye9, It Is Ik rough nighl," said Hnhen, going to the eanimont and looking 
out ; ** but 1 da not mind the weather^ so get me my cloak and hat, and 1 will 
go forth in search of her, thoiish, doobtle*S| she l« at the castle, and will ttny 
all night.** 

Maod gate her husband his hat and cloak, whloh he pat on, ittd taking a 
stoat oaken staff in his hand^ heqolflted ifh€ Inn. 

Emnestlne having p«kl a tisitof bene^lenoe and charity to a poor, tfiek ooftager, 
where she was detained until the evening, was ctosshog the wood with an in* 
tention of going to the Castle of St. ilswolpfa, which wat nearer thsn her own 
home, as the iky had become overcast, and portended a oonAng storm, when 
she was iuddenly alarmed by heating H shrill Whittle, and bdbre she could k)Ok 
round to aeemaln from whence It proceHed, she found herself In fhe rode 
grasp of a ooOple of ruAan^, whose ap p ea r a nce betokened them to be robbers. 
She screamed loudly for help, but the fellows making use of the most rev^tiog 
language, proceeded to force her along, and after struggling iHth them nnUl she 
was quiteexhanited, she was on the point of iwoonlng, when, suddenly aloud 
and commanding voice reverberated through the wood, calling upon the wrotches 
to forbear. ' 

<<Hold! hohl! 'dastard miscreanu, hold, on your lives!'* rspeated the 
voice, and the heavy sound of horses* hoofs were heard approaching. The robhere 
started, and hivolunurUy redgned their hold of our heroine. At that hioment 
a horseman dad In glittering mail, and mounted upon a snow wUtO steed, 
was seen to emerge from a de^ wildemeas of trees, and falcMon In hand, 
galloped fiercely up towards tfte spot. 

«The White Knight! the White Knight!" shouted both fhe rafflms In a 
breath, and turning immediately in a eotitrary direction to that in whieh he was 
coming, they fled with the utmost precipitation. 

Ernnestine was so astonished, that she was completely rivetted to the spot in 
which she stood. The mysterious knight approached her with his vlnir dowa, aad 
dismounting itwn his steed, took her hand gentlf, and with an air of the ataMist 
respect. She could not help feeling a sensation of dread while in the proseaoe 
of the mysterious beiog, and she shrunk \)Suck. 

'< Nay,*' ej<iculated the stranger, in a tone of icpruach, ''the fair Ernnesthie 



THE ftOBBBR's FOUNDLING. 2S7 

de Ucy hath no eaite lo lear the While Knlghl. Most h»p|iy an I to hiive 
been tbeaeftnsof resooiD^yoofrondaaget.'* 

** Noble ttraofar,*' said oar bm^ae, naeoaarlDg -benelfi " wbotier Iboa 
art, 1 heartily Ihaak thee for thy kladoeas.'* 

•* Danger may stiU lurk at haod, fair damad/' aaid the White iCnIght, " and if 
thon wilt aeoepi my proffsvad aanrioea, 1 wlU condoai thee to the Castle of St. 
Aawolphy wbithar, I preaomei thou art gaiag." 

Ernnettiae became more sorpriied at the knowledge which tlie mitteriooa 
kuigirt evidently poeteiaed of htt, and -her iolentioaiy and in spite of att her 
effCMtt, sbe eemld not oon^aer the foeiiaf of awe whieh hk appearance had uc- 
onioned her. Toentraat henelf to the cave of a stranger, and that, too, one uf 
so much ambigoltj, was she considered, not only dangerous, but impradent ; and 
yet^ liow could sIm refuse ? or. If baa designs against tier wevt efU» she liad oo 
power eflectaally to resist him. The kaight seemed to pemrtrate tier Ibooghts, 
and repeated his assurances. 

*'l wiU but convey thee to the portals of the eaitla," heaaid» '^midwIUthen 
leave thea. Wiit thoo mat trnat me^ lady ?" 

Emnestine made no answer, but suffered herself to be lilted on to the saddle ; 
the knight atoanted behlad her» aad setlinc forward at the laU speed of hia fleet 
coarser, the Castle of 8t. Aswblph >oon appeared in sight* Having reached the 
gates he dismoaated, aad assisting our heroine to aiighly lie hiaw a load blast 
on the hoia, and thea taming to Bmnestsne, he 'bent one kaaa to the earth* 
took her hand, pressed It to his Upa* and before she conld withdraw It, he 
placed upon her flnger a enrioualy-wronght ring. Jn an iastaat aHarwards, 
he bonndttd on the back of the horse, waved Us hand to our heroine gr^jefolly, 
and before she eoahi recover from the surprise and confaaion into wliich hia rv^ 
markahle conduct had thrown her, he was out of sight. 

Bmnesllne remaiaed tvaasftxed to the spot, filled with the most ladascribabie 
astonishoMnt at the alnguterlty of tiie adventure, and gaxed into the wood in 
the direction whkh thetaiysterloos white knight had taken, completely bewildered 
and amaied by his manner and the words he had made nseof ; b«l mach amire 
at his fattt action, whieh was so sudden that she had not time to return the ring, 
which to accept from a stranger she considered was not only highly Improper, 
but might be fhrnght with danger. She looked at therlng, which was a very 
handsome one, nod euikmsly wc^rhed^ and when she took the whole of the oir- 
cumstanees Into oonsideration, she could not help thinking that there was more 
intended In this simple event than might appear at first eight, and that tlie 
mysterious stranger wai thoronghly acqaalated with her she could not entertain 
tlie least dnabt, fimm ^ fhmlllar tone hi which he addraased her ; and a 
variety of scrange thooghts were heglaaing to crowd upon her brahi when the 
portals of the castle were opened, and ahe was admitted. 

She made her way iasmediataly to the apartuMut in which Lady Celestine, 
her son, and daughter, usually sat, and found them all three there assembled. 
Tbey arose on her entrance, and wekoBMd her with tiMirwaal kindness; hntim- 
mediately noticing the i^tation of her nmnner, they requested an explanation 
of it. Emnestine, In as few words as possible, explained to them the adventure 
sbe had met with, and their wonder may very well be Imagined. 



238 BRNNB8riN£ DE LAOY ; OB, 

«* 'Hie White Kalgbt,"rj«caUted LordRaymoDd, while a alight acowl passed 

acroM his brow. " lu vaio have I racked my brain to endeanmr to imagine who 

he is ; and yet, if I were Inclined to be soperatitious, mnch as bis noble deeds 

are vaaated, I shunld have amplecaose to look npon him with caation, if not dread." 

<< Ah 1 what mean yen ?" demanded Lady Celestine. 

" No mattei^no matter/' said Lord Raymond, recollecting himself. *^ Thoa 
wonldst only vmile at me were I to mention particulars; and, indeed, 1 am 
ashamed that I sboald have deigned to give the subject a second thoughu" 

'* At any rate/* observed Marguerite, ** we should feel greatly indebted to the 
gallant stranger tor having rescued Emuestine from the ruffians ; and 1 hope we 
may some time have an opportunity of personally retumlug to him our acknow- 
ledgmenta." 

** Aye," observed Lord Raymond, who had been deeply Immeraed in thought 
upon the aubject; **but why art thou looking ao intently at thine hand» 
Krnnestioe f 

** I have-not yet told you die whole of thia myatenoua incident,*' replied our 
heroine; '*on leaving me, the atranger aaddenly placed upo« my finger 

this ring, and '' 

** A ring !** Interrupted his lordship, a glow of anger and astonishment crim* 
aooing his eheeka,**<< attmnge, unparalleled effrontery I Lei me aee it." 

lie tiiok Etimesline'a hand haatUy aa he apoke,( and removed the ilug from 
her floger ; bnc ibt moment his eye fell upon it faia countenance changed, and the 
extreme emotion he betrayed filled them with the utmoat amazement. He ex- 
amined U mfnutely, and, aa he did eo, hla cheeka became pale and red by turns, 
and hia form trembled violently. He walked to the other side of the apdrtment 
whh hia eyes still fixed upon the ring ; and, after a paoae, he exclaimed^ in a 
voice which evinced the great emotion of hia mind :— 
'< By Heaven ! it ia the very aarae. 1 cannot be mittaken ! What can this 

event portend ?— and how, after the lapse of ao many years should it " 

He paused, and retumiu^to bis seat became for a short time buried in thought, 
and unmindful of the astonishment and curioalty which the ainguhirity of hia bc- 
hflviour bad excited. 

<* What ia the meaning of this, dear Raymond ?*' at length said hia mother ; 
** why does the sight of that ring cause In thee ao much agitation ?*' 

** Mother,** replied Lord Raymond, ''qaeatkm me not; at present 1 cannot 
answer thee. Thia ring— oh I never did 1 expect to aee it again ! And the mya- 
terioaa atranger— oh ! who can he be ? how could it have come into hia poa- 
aessf on ? and what could have been h'la 0M>tlve for placing it on the finger, of 
Rrnneatlue ? When will the marvelkma eventa that ao rapidly anccced each 
other be satisfactorily explained ? BnmaatlM, tl^a ting nuat remain In my 
posseMion.** 

'* And what can be thy reason for wiaMng to retain it, Raymond?'* eagerly 
inqsired Lady Celestine. 

«* Oh, a moat powerful one/' replipd hk lordship. *< 1 would not part with it 
again for mines of wealth. Thou canst have no Idea of the Important matters^ 
at least to mc, which the possoaslon of this eimplc bauble may be the means of 
bringing to light/' 



THE robber's foundling. 239 

'* The amblgnlfy of thy words and behavtonr, Raymond/* sidd Lady Celtttlne, 
'* alarm roe. Oh! why not eiplain ?** 

" Not now ; not now !" returned Lord Raymond ; '* bot the time may not 
be far distant* when it will be in my power to divalfe e?erythiof. Would 
that I could ascertain who this White Knight really is. But I will not rest na- 
tll I have done so.** 

Lord Raymond then made an excuse to retire from the room for a short 
timoy and left the females to converse upon the mysterious circumstance, and 
to endeavour to form a conjecture as to the cause of the violent agiiation 
which his lordship had betrayed on seeing the ring. Vartout were their 
surmises upon the subject, but each was equally unsatlsfiictory ; but Lady 
Celettine and her daughter could not help believing that It was connected 
wUh that event which had depressedTlhe spirits of Lord Raymond for so many 
yean, and through which secret they were never able to penetrate. 

In a short timo. Lord RaysMmd returned to the apartment, and, although be 
evidently endoavourod to appear more composed, ho could not succeed iii 
concealing from the eyea of all thrae of the females, that his mind was still very 
tmhappy. 

^'Emnesttne will remahi at the castle «b*night, 1 presume," said he ; **aod I 
will despatch a vassal to her friends, to apprise them of her safety.*' 

^ No," said our heroine, *' the storm has snbsidod, and I have « particular 
wish not to defer my return home till the morning.** 

** Of course, then, it would be useless my attempting to persuado thee fur- 
her, my love,'* said his lordship, ** and I am, therefore^ prepared to accompaay 

thee." 

Our heroine Immediately arose to depart, and, attended by his lordship, 
quitted the castle. 

On their way home. Lord Raymond questioned Brnnestiae more par- 
ticularly about the White Knight, and the words he had spoken to her, but she 
bad already told him everything. 

**BHt, when he placed the ring on thy finger, dear Erone^Une," he in- 
quired, *' said he nothing then ?*' 

** Not a word," replied our heroine. 

** And couidst thou not observe hia features?" 

^' His visor was down, and, therefore, I could aot." 

^ Aad bad ao meaas of judging whetlier be was eld or young ?" 

** Certaialy not $ although, from bta figure aad active bearing, I should 
Imagine the latter," answered Eranestiae. 

** By Heaven, I will by some means discover him I" exclaimed Lord Ray- 
mond ; but he bad scarcely glvea utterance to the wordn, when the snorting of 
a steed was heard near them, and looking up, by the broad light of the moon, 
they beheld, standing before tbem, looking like a spectre, or a statue of 
marble, the mysterloua subject of their discourse. Emnestine clung closer to 
Lord Raymond, and could not help giving utterance to ao exclamation of 



240 BBNNBBTINE DB LACY; OB^ 

««rror« and bfi lordililp was w) taken by •uipritet that lie had not the powar 
6f aiovlBi^ nr speakioi^. 

*« Thou wilt hoow who I am era lonf . I«Qrd Raymond St. Afwolpli," taid 
Ihe.Whit? Kaight, In a hollow foloe; '* the dlieofory tlio«.«ri •o anxiovt6>r 
wMl be niada.and ih^tu wilt than hava canfe to tremble. Mark, me 1 mark me !'* 
*' Mytteriout being I*' cried St. Atwolph, *'that tomeit In aoch aaa- 
fiioient form, who art thou, and why ihonld I tremble at thee ? If thoa art 
my foe» roTeai thyaelf, and fife me as opportunity of afbrding thee talit* 
^tioo." 

A load and aooniful laogh wat the only answer which wa» relumed «n this 
deaibnd, and the White Knight^ gallaping with the spaad of Ughtniag fiii»m 
the tpot, was ont of sight in a moment.. < 

Brooestlne was fillid with terror at the thrcato whteh the while knight hU 
uttered towarda Lord Raymond , while he was so much surprised* .that be was 
nimble for a short time, to speuk a word, or ta oflf^rtompva fromibai^ 
which they were standing. 

<« I sedi In vain tofaiham this,*' he Baid,atlas(» *' unless this VfbiU Knight 
us he Is culled, is some wild cbaracter* acting alone from caprice* andu wish 
to sport with the terrors of others. He may» howeYor* hate reason to rapent 
his hnnu>ur soma day or other.'' 

** WhooTUr he is, and whatever may he the motives Ibr his actlona,*' said 
Emnestlne, *' he certainly has snceeeded ia rendering himaelf an o^foct of 
wonder and awe.** 

*« He Is some base impoator," cried Lord Raymond, warmly, " and should 
we ever encounter each other again, and under mora fiivouruble circum* 
stances, I will learn who he is, or perish in the attempt." 

** Oh, my lord,** said Emnestine, alarmed, '* beware of what thou dott ; thoa 
mayest have a more powerful und dangerous enemy to contend with than thou 
dost imagine.** 

»' Why should I fear one whom I know not?*' said Si. Aswalph $ *' und yet 
the ring,** he contianed, ** how could that have fallen into hb possemion }" 

*» Come, my lord,** observed Emnestine, seehing to urouse him from his ie» 
thargy, '* the night air begios to blow cold 9 prithee let ns hasten on our way 
to the inn, and leave the unravelling of this ambiguous aflair until soma Ibture 
period.*' 

Lord Raymond once mora took her arm in silence, and they hnstenad from 
the spot. They shortly afterwards reached the " Flagon,*' where both Hubert 
and Maud were v^ry glad to see them retam in safety, and Im scarcely 
allowed them to be sealed, when ha detailed to them all the paHicalars of the 
visit of the White Kaight, and the injunctions which ha bad given Urn. Has 
more than ever added to the surprise of our Imroine and Lord Raymond* 
It was very evident that the White Kaight was fully acquainted with the 
history of Rrnnestine, and that he had good reasons for taking such an interest 
in her fate ; but yet be had auid that he was the friend of Bmaestinai and hia 



THB nOBlIBR'a VODNDLINO. 



Goaduot proved him to ba u, but bi* lujiiacOoai th&l aooc other Ibio Lard 
iUyawad ihotild bsGone tba hwibBBd orino- betntne, M«B«d n cuin]>lBt«)r 
U nrUoca •ilb iba tWaali he b^ bald out la the feimtr, ibal U wu quit* 
lapaalble to ■ndnnland lb«ni; 

"Aad bail Ibou do racollaelion of iha ittanger?" inqalrcd Lord RaymODd 
•fBabcrL 

"Haw ODold T, mj lord," apiwcrad Hubert, " irheH hli fcatiirel were lo 
'•■tiraly codeealed from tIco }" 

" Doii ibou not think It likely that bo U the ume oibii whs broughi Etn- 
BMtlne tollnlDa and loft ber in thy charge)" InierriifLaled hii lotdihlp. 

" It oiay be," antweTvd Huberti "but atill I had no recoHirctiOD of bil 
Toke." 

' ■*Ob,1'ncerliial1i« WKIteKolghtit nomoriaiiuan/'rjiicuUtadMau'd, "or 
ha Devar ooold perfons tba dead* be doe*. Wby, li he mi here, Iheia, aad 
'every winre, and atl U tbe lame nomeal !" 

" Piba ! if he 1> a devil, dame," taid Hubert, " he is u very |oad fort tif a 
one, fot he li Doted oily for noble actioni. Did he not preterva Ercn<«lina 
ttli evening fram Iha robbart, and—'' > 

" Yet, yea," aoiwaied Haud, laipatlenlly inleri uplinf bin, " and did be sot 
aflerwardi ibraalen hia lordtblp, which 1 canaul coaceiio [o Im- a very oabU 
■clion, many can I aoti •ipeclally *i Lord RijoiaDdii logenatally nud de> 
aervedly eatcemedi for whoii Iheie, I ihoald like lo know — " 

" There, Ibare, niy food dame," interrupied bw lordihip, who waa natal alt 
wllltDg to haar hli food acliona raunled ; " wa •hall not be able la falhom tbU 

No SI 



Mjrtttr J to B^lOy Jipinil npfln k t andl aUhMgli ke dIA tbvmlM Mt to •»Mot 
■cfioutly h9W$am •bmbj, or to aefvrwoidi «rf« myi^Mi wlik ttoto«i» 
teoHt BnaMMM. We miitt «ndMi?ovr to wait patiaotly mHI Ito tey of tto 
ooptfUfy wtoa wo atoll too wtoltor or not to will kaaf Mt pioialii by uma- 
ToMag tto tacrot whM io doeply Intereata va all.** 

Alcbaiigb Lord RoynttBd afflectad to to aatttilod opoo tMa i«ljoet^ to waa 
vary Ur ftom reaBy £seliikf to, aad ibortly aflarwarda took Ua dopartoro ftoM 
tto ian, aod directad Ui atepa towards tto ftastU. 

Ha walkad forward In a pentlto mood, ruailnattag upon wkat bad takea 
plaaa witklo tto last f$m toan, aad waa Jaat penetratlog through tto deepatt 
recaaaea of tto wood, wtoo to fitt hb arai aoddanly arroated, aod ia an in- 
stant beheld Hal of tto Glen ataodiag by Ids aide. 



CHAPTER XXr. 

<« Dread, ttiikM>k*d-for, like a visitasi 
Pnm th* oiber world» to oonea aa If to battot 
The gallty sovl.'* T. Moori. 



Tuft ajaa of tto aoaoerer were llied npoo Ito oooatoaaiiee of Lord lUymNid 
wkb a gtoce of ire> wbltb a e eaoi to tienaimn to tto rery soali aad aade 
bim treaiUe larolantarlly beneath their ooeartbly inAfoa, and « dwianlaaal 
and maliciotti grin o'erspread bis frightfol featnrea. which eoald not Call tolMpire 
the beholder with horror. Lord Roymond looked np Io bin m ha itaoA kitfie 
bread glare of tto noonllgbtt and endearoored to apeak» tot eoold oo( ^ ffod at 
leaglh Hal of the Olea, after a fiendish langb, which made the wood nt-e^ l^ain, 
«aid:— 

" I^ard Raymondy we oMet again ; once more I cross thy path; why dost ttoa 
tremble la my preaenoe ?" 

*' Sorcerer !'* cried Lord Raymond, as the mysterioos and awfal belngfilcBaed 
hifli fqom bia bold ; ** why dost thoa ag^ obatraet ase? — What woald'al tboa 
with me ?*' 

** To bid thee toware of the White Knight ; to towace of the Grey Friar 1" aa- 
awered BoL 

** Ah ! fiendf If sncb ttoa art," cried Lord Raymond, ** tell me why I tboald 
fear tbem V 

*' Beoansa they are thy mottal foes." 

«<F6r wtot reason r* demanded hit lordship; <*if thou hast tto power to 
amswcr me, tell me wto ttoy are, aod why should I fear them ?'* 

•* I tore tofiore warned thee to toware of them,'* retomed the magldaa, " bat 
tima alone must nnravel wto tliey are; ttot time qniekly approaches, aad 
Aai which will then to reiealed to thee, will make Ibee wrelctod for crer, if 
tboa doat not avoid the misery into which ttoa an about (p plange.** 



TM WOmBBtfn FOUNDLINO. IMS 



■si Wkf'.«M iMlieicdt»-te tbft.fMir«f ikrmm«wl*-4toiM«t^l 



99 



*■ ** 



|Mrt|«<ltaU llw« afiOA thMiMMittf •» Hm WbIl #f « yrtdiriaftdMm vfaMs 
If tlMMi plim u t, ytfpttufcl atotif t» iJKtli itHtiMc. 1 go, proud locd ; Hkm 
mnagA my wamiiHt sad, thi itf oft, let 4be While Kaifkt triaa|ri> io ilM 
Mcoeit of the t c h wi e he hlh wtoBglrt far Ifay dcuwcttoo !** 

*< 8tftj I ttaj ! mysterioot* awfnl bdog," eiclaimcd Lord lUjouNidy at Hat 
of the Glen wat aboat Io qoH the spot ;— ** stay ! whaterer thy parpote> I will once 
BBore lieten to thee !" 

The magician laughed awfully » which was retomcd in a hundred echoes through 
the deep-entangled wood. 

** Tortvre me not," cjacnlated hit lordship^ at an imleinite feeling came o?er 
him i— **tell mcy if thoo canst, how I may atoid the ofili thon dost prognos- 
tlcile tome?'* 

<Mf i canst," repeated Mal» <*doet thon, then, stlU donbt my power ?''j "^ 

"No, no, I will trust thee; bat keep me not In suspense. Tell om, how 
am I to avoid it ?" 

*' By not making Bmnestlne thy bride ; by retracting the fows thou hast made 
to her!" 

Y Bttmct my yows : Forget Eranestine ! Merer !" 

f ' Then ^« tlm cooseqnenoea i and cone thy mad impetnod^ when it is 
too hues" said Hal of the Oka, and his eyes g leime d yet-mere toeelf thm eter , 

*« Impostor I" eidalmed liord Raymond % " lho« wonldlst deetife • m, 

and «ve nw to abandon the only earthly happiaem opoo which mf hopes «#e 
•t 



^Basiifaoll" thondercd fartb thevelee«f themaglolaB,«*ltaUthta ilthet 
de et p mist la miting thyself to Emnestiae, tho« milt bring npoa thyself lhs«Nil 
IsSBpiMulbIs misery, and she will sAerwavds estss thee^ sad look spsMhes 
with borrmr and disgust." 

**Impossihlsr crM the distracted Lord Raymond, "what bat biim the 
most unspeakable can attend a union with the beanteoiM Eraossltoe t** 
«• Will follow BM totbeglen, and I will shew thee?" returned HaL 
** I wlA t lead on," replied Liord Raymond, and drawing bis sword, bo made 
a motion for the sorcerer to proceed. 
** Attend me, then, and if thou canst, satiify thy doubts,** said Nal» 
Lord Raymond folded his ample cloak closer around him, and Hal hv^sg 
ones more turned to look at him, ptanged into the deepest lecestes of the 
wood, with a rapidity which rsadeisd It dUBottit for the former to keep «p 
with him. Ever and anon the awffU and m y s t ei io us befcig psnsed^- to' enable his 
lordship to approach nearer to him, and then he again started off at his fbrmer 
speed, his gaunt ibrm seemhig to skim over the earth wtthoul his feet toncMng the 
gtnnnd; and as he bwsl thitagh the diflbrent openings in the wood, ths hcoad 
Ught'Of the moon reileeted opon him with a ghastly and supenatural eflMt Seve- 
ral times Lord Raymond was compelled to ptdte to take breaiib, and he was A»- 
quenUy halMncOned Co tura back, when a toud laugh from HaJ iroull ittm to 



wMi iht titgtkr aitcnNm to 4b»elaM^. rtfte dtew of tke oioMqiifiMes 4lm 
iiifb*fl«MkiAroaiit. t., 

'•Al ItngHkiiiof ifiMhtd the §l«i» aodnhere ib» J iiitk w VM sn 'iMptnHiaMtt 
UM ^ AwlMghiflf bit mtM CMdwiiPi «mI i^alir |»Mi4» ooknowiof liliM 
Wf ^.ffocotd^ rbii ddifv b ow mf , mm oolf brtef» MM B rt >W»P «ii4^May 
UglMto.daM»iMbrefaiib,Mid he«Boeai«roMNrtli«fottt«C>ite-fli«9telll«»«lio 
iBotloDed bin od, at tbe saow mtomtm^ m nmikcr ol tMkMtlily foioet MMg 4Jm 
ffllo«iii§ fvoMi 1*- 

•' Follow, follow, through the glen, 
Seldom trod by mortal men ; 

Follow, follow, tbroogh the gloom, ., 

If thoud'st hear thy fnture doom. 
Follow, foltow, fetr araiint, ' 
Osre the wftafd't fciuful haunt. 
Fear not fiend, or gobUo sprite, 
StaliiDg,*mid tbe kUmnd of niglit. 
. Let resolution onward goad, 
Fear not snake, or slimy toad. 

FoUoWt follow, tbrougb tbe gleo^ 
Seldom trod by mortal men 1" 

Lord Raymond was prepared for the termn that fcdlowed Aeie viordi, and 
ho\d\j he planned on his way, amid the most dreadftil sht^ks and ho#nag, liie 
Mdaoatgrintttngof esih-iie phantoms that fihtod aroand Mm, and^ all the other 
ftrnhd p aw t pb e niatia which had charactcftoodhb fdrmanMttotbeawfkd Uttm^ of 
tbeaoMerei^' 

At last he arrired at the deepest recesses of the glen, where Hal pe i lb rme d 
Mo m^rstfc orgies,' and having fbrmed the magic drcle, Lord Raymond "Mtepped 
hoMt^ into It, and the incantation commenced. • 1 - 

Aronnd and aroond the blattag ealdroo the maglefatt danc^ In fheumV^MtU 
and fraatlc maooer, waving bis wand above hhi bead, and motf^rflkg «!llni|e'an- 
MeWgllie tifood*, and as be did so. Lord Raymond beard the^ fbllowtnt ivoHfl saag 
by a number of demoniacal voices :— 

*Mgain» agaia tbe magic spell 
We weave, the future to foretell ; 
Round again the caldron go, 
' And in lis flames the chains now throw ! 

• A naH fhXh inoh!erer*« finger torn. 

Hair from monlcish beard »borfl, 
•iiiln^df* bloody and adders ttiag» 

*. ki tjMaaldrQii-iiaidilyfliQai^ ^ 

,. , BoijMMl again |he caldron go» 

And in its iUm^ the cbarm3 DOW throw !" 

Mthe end of every Hne of thlt wIM ineaotation, tkt magMaa throw aottMMig 
iofn the caldron, ntd each time'the fiamea blated higher, and the acMesftflbe 
IKlrn became more terrilc; hut Lord Raymond having recovered MmMlf ftbrn 
the Urit tbodr, remained standings dm atfd andannt^ hi the ma^ drde, aad 



TtaE robber's tPOmVZMLIKQ. 94S 

W3ttdi«d the «etiDiiv«f mi of ihrC^Ieti wiltli the irti mw t H U w tfoa mMatlilsr. A» 
In^^b, ]l lowltMftl or thunder roR«d«bove^it9 bent, the MfflilB •tt^ b t i w n 'M» 
tSngalshed, and the noises ceased. Lord Raymond fell a cMMi»'i«««rtlMi 
cfe«i»1ftf mnwglt Mt f«hfs» Mlowfed by « thtmrlBgr «f iMictlihir si««Rn|i Mm. 
If» liepl Mi eyM' ftied upon tbe i^ wb^rt Hal batf mhM^ andwddMy • H^ 
llltlieftiMlo tsiie from the eattb ad the bwii of tb« glea c tolenHi nntM ma 
beard, and Lord Raymond tbe foUowloff moment beheM tbe nttgle ttkrd»»' w ^ W tf 
power the magldan had eon«nk»A*oir Ids former vMl'to 'the glen, and 1m^m% ft 
stood Hal waving bis wand, and g1?lng ntterauce to words of m yi He l ftfli f Import, 
bot quite nnintellff^ble to Ms lordsblp. He fixed bis eyes anzlously and Intently 
Bpon the mirror, and In a short time the mist which bad before obscured Its 
surface disappeared, and Lotd Raymond beheld the Interior of a gothlc chapel, 
exactly resembliug tbe one in the Castle of St. Aswolpb, fitted np as If for the 
pr rformance of some solemn ceremony. A priest was standing behind the altar, 
and towards which, dirrci ly afterwards, two figures approaebed, followed by brides- 
maids and others, and Lord Raymond recognized In the bridegroom, an exact 
representation of hlmi>elf, and In that of tbe bride, Ernneatlne. They knelt 
before the altar ; the ceremony was performed witbont Intermption, and Lord 
R aymond's bosom was swelling with extacy when he thus beheld the realization 
of bis wishes foretold In the vision, when, in an Instant, a plerdng shriek wss 
beard, and there rushed between them a frmale form, whose well-rememhered 
features filled the mind of the gazer with harror, and teaHng them asunder, 
abe exelaimed :^ 
**Iacestuoas wretch 1 slices mine! thine l^And tboi^ art accursed farcrer!'* 
At the aame monient two more figures appeanfd In tbe niagic mirror, one of 
which tore Emnesi9ne to his bosom, —it was Godfrey de Lacy ! The other W4s 
^he White Knight, who, raising bis tlzor, rerealed a countenance wblch Lord 
R«iyaoodhad never expected to behold agahi, and pointed with a fiendish smile 
of trittmptf, first at Oodfkey and Bmnestlne, and theh at the woman, wtio hid 
Hiat appeared after tha celebration of the ceremony. 

'* Fiend ! sorcerer !** shouted Lord Raymond, unable any longet to restrain tbe 
expression cf his emotions ;— *' what means tbla f— Lei me understand tbla mys- 
terious tholn T^I " 

The charm was broken— loud thunder pealed through tbe irlen— forked lightning 
Hashed around— the mirror and erery oth^ object faded from the ti^ht, and 
immediatijly afterwards Lord Raymond was left involved In total darkness. 

He f<elt a choking sensation at his chest ; a dreadful pain shot through bis 
head ; hia bndn seemed to whirl round ; his limbs tottered beneath him, and he 
sunk In a state of InsenslblHty to tfato earth. 

How long he had thus rea iafaad he had no memni of forming the least con- 
jecture, for when he again became consckmr, he fouM that the glen was still 
Intohred In tbe same Impenetrable gloom. He fett dctdly cold, and bis Hmbl 
were completely bentimbed— so much so, that some time elapsed before be was 
able lo riaar f^iom the earth. He did, however, manage to do so at la»t, and 
tried to grope bis way out of the glen i but this was a task of no ordinary dif- 
ficuhy, and It was sooie time belbrc be could accomplish It, When he reached 
the wood again,' h€ found that the shades of night werefadtng away f^om the hoH- 



246^ BBMNMVINB BA.JUAOT| O&j 



mmx iiil|«miiinMiii «of ttc tetron wlMi U**kNa« ilniaM t^ommn ««ll« 
wMli %• iUM «» nottihiB U« aiMher m4 aliM^ bt «m hivnFl«i f^rmwtd; 
vbitt Mi iMlf WM «Nlr«ted bf a M Active, and looWiig op te aftfn bcbM 1k« 
fli|il«rlM» mookwli^ IMI* tarapciMdlyMim cMMedlrif pilh^ HitMiHiNM 
<Hiwto oiin e»tf Mi fM« M tMMl^AMif in hit immI altlfig^ nftb bit ariw 
IdIM -mrtm bit 4b««l» be ttWNl at Ube ivm fKl0g wHb * ttBUment af «nil-> 
MtfMUNl hatridiipMLordftoyttaBd. 

Wbttod «p toapUtb btyoatf tU Mdvranot, liWil B^f«ioi4 tscbtecd— 

"Ttmeotar, tbai whb MitNrlout fltiiiity to often appciffctt btforeiMf tv 
dittractaod bewilder myientet, tfiin art tboa beie! Refetl lb|iilf aad tbf 
parpote, or dread tbe veegtenee of erne wbom tboo bitt fkt^eatly thrfefcMd !** 

1\> tbii ibe vytteriottt nook only lepttcd by m lead langh of deritkn, end 
itlll reteised bit potittoe oaaeTed. 

* '< Ibi^eot wretebl darett tbon meek me? By tbe aalfllH tbfln, I will kvoer 
wbo tboa art ; I wUi force tbe tecret from thee." 

He drew bittword at be fpoke» ami mtbed fieively open tbe moak^ wkwMet 
him with tbe flMtt extra^»rdiaary ooolnam ; wrenched the weapea fH>m Mi 
grai-p^and, teizing blm ia bit arrat, dashed bim fiolently to tbe earth, wlihootiaf 
apparr nt exe rtioa on his part. Baniog with rage and tbame» Lofd Raymond 
with moeb diflkaky raised bloitelf from tbe earth, and looked aravnd htai, 
prepared to make a second attack apon bis ankoown foe, but he was gone. 

** Coiifii>ioD !" be exclaimed; *' gone ! Am I forevei lobe made the epoit af a 
wretch wbo seems to delight In and mock at my rage ai»d sufferipK?'* - • - 

Agalo be looked around bim, bat ooold not tee anything of tbe meKk. r Bis 
sword was left behind upon tbe gram, wUch be picked np and sheathed } tlmn, 
filled with a miriely of fealhigt of tbe nmst painful dtscrlptloa, be <|altledthe tpet^ 
and went^on his way towaads tbeca>tleof8t.Atwelph« 

On bis anWal at the eastk, as might bate been expected, be foaad bit mother 
and Lady Margaeriulnattateef gieatanxletyathltebtence,aadhltfetnniwat 
a most Important lellef to their minds. Of conne they were analout to be auiie 
neqaaioted wHb the reatoo of bit being awtyfrom tbe cattle tbe whole «f tbe 
irigbt, and eonld tee from tbe paleaess of bit oooatenance, and Ms agltaled amfr* 
aer, that sometbiog partlenlar had occnrred to disturb him ; bot be did not tatlt^F 
tliem as to the eeal oircnmttaacet that bad happened to Mm, and ande toam ok^' 
pnte, the bett be eoald iblnb •f at tbe moment, to aeooant lot bk ahoiwtb 
aad altbengb they were hi from being satisfied, H was «U tbtfomiM -dick iHBi 
htm. 

The extraonilaary toaue be bad witnessed In ibe gica, and tbe imlaiit e unja aa d 
up by tbe sapernatnral art of Hal, m^de an eattaocdliMry Impret^ien npen tbe 
mind of f«ord Raymoad; and be In tain endeatonredte baaiih them ftoaa Ms 
thoogbn, ttIB lest wat bt able to eoaqiinbead them. He sackedMa bcaln In 
▼aiOf and now rcgietied ibM be bad beea ptwailed apon by tfal ta itelilbe 
glen, and in arts biaMBtf np with bit infctnal totteriat nad i acaa i at ifi. 

He determiaed ant temeatlen a wovd of tba adscntme to Bnaettine, wall can* 
▼iaeed at he was bowgreaiif it wonM«lann ber, aad with tMt tetnlvBon M 
twbggbNl riolaatly to eveicoBK bis emotiant, to thai be aOght not bettay, b/tba 
agiUiloa of bit manner, toy tbiof which was likely to excite her coriotity/ 



7HS BOnBSB?m WOVVmAMQ. 

a»ifi>^ toHiftfi d » fog <Hiidi wi Ibe fffeol ikal hU stogitar Mi iMpreiiftv*, luU 

Mil^MoT Jial of iht GOm fff«f •p&m hU ato4> Mid i«»# ihie^MiHiiitfr li# M^ 

lNi«itk4beirey«MNilhtlMlt^keplhlatoa«oaitMt«tite#fHbttUNi' Wte 
tfa»kllcr to ^ H dwil tMli neattf ke, «wl ib» MoHfet for liW tmwmviUmrf «mm 
duot> be was at a lo«t toconceirc; bat, hi ffilft^f all bis cCiMtt to ibe ooatNifr 
be ooold DM bel|^ ibiokhif #b bi« wUb a fotltog af tbc naat ttBMaqiiefa)*le dread, 
aad m m d c te ia i lu e d 10 leaf no aeaai anttkd tadteiat er wbo ba wae» aad ta aa* 
iafel Iba aiyaleft o' Ua ooadatt* 

Thawbale ^ ihai duf be paw ed at tba cai^» kaapfaiff ptiodfallf la bla av*. 

vfmm, i09 be was lao maeb agitated la eater lata tba saeieiy oi bU m a tb ar aad 

•l»tar, and he was fearfbl m tee firnaetttae, teat ba»bo«ld aot ba able au a d aat l y 

ta ^aaqaar bit fccJtogi la baap eonceakd Ifaai ber tbe circiaoMtaaca wbkb we 

bare been detailing. 

. ^fwabava before abaerfad, Lidy Gelambie and ber daaflbter were botb vary 
web d h i arbid by tbe myalery of Ma lordablp*f bebavfoor, aad Ml conviaartf 
Ibai lowithiiig bad oc c air ed la bim; bat tfaay were learfol of ^aeatloatog blat, 
tbtobtag tbal^ in aU probability, it woald bat ioeraaw bia agHatioa, and Uirow 
liifli into one of tliose paroxytma of intenae grief tbey had frrqaamly witneased 
lOflM yeaaa before* eooa allar bis retani (ttm abroad, aod tbe o cea s i o a of which, 
tbfi bad oarer been able to foibom 1 and tbal hia pr ea a at emollao sprang Irani 
tba same sanrcey tbey were foUy dirpescd to itaagtoe. 

Altbaagb Lord RayaMmd did not leare tbeeaslie, be senta doaMOtlc to /< Tba 
na§an," laaoqelre after ErDaesHnr, and to make an eienia for aot seelag.beR 
that day^giring, as tbe reason, that he had soaie partfealar baslnasa to attend 
la ; and with this Mes sa g e, of coarse, oar Iteroiae was saHsfiad. 

*^Bac MB I nolweaicia kttbis wild adfoaiare distorb my otod^" be scdiin 
t di as d t as be traversed biaapartMeat, and after bis nrind bad been- for. sfvie tiM« 
braodiog opoa the circumstances ; '* why should I lUak eectoasly upon tlia pre-* 
dictfoas of tUs Hal of the Glen, as be has eboiea to cdl bimself, wbo OMy bea% 
toipastor, after aH, taking advantage of tbe credaktas, and delif bfiag in distradlnff 
ibeir aalnds? Bal no,*' he added, after a pause, "ha^eaanoS be-au laHWStar- 
No mortal man could perfbrm tbe things tbal I have seen Irfa 4(h Tbe visbNia 
raia ad by Ma aw(al fneantaiioas ought lo be Mfldeat to convlnee me of bis 
■ a pcr n a iar al powers, aad to make mepb^e tbe inner reifonoa upon Iris progaoa* 
tieatfons. And tfie frigbtfol phantoms I saw In the glen->all— all streagthrw 
that convietkNi wUeh 1 now foel it fanpoaslble f«r my mind lo reject. Wbo, 
iben. Is this mystertons nmnk? Is be Ae same iadlvMual as- Iha Wh\tm 
Krfgbt ? and it be Is, why sboukl be thus eootiaually obtrude Mmself npoamy 
presence, aod threaten me witb tfs vcageaaee ? There was but oot man wbo«-» 
bm wl^P sboaM I think af Mm? tbe cold grave h« long liececoiiAacd bis mool* 
dering lanMlasi aad even bad be been living, I feel cartaiw tbal were we^ta 
BMal again, tostead of bis provfaig my enemy, 1 sboald be able fo aaavlaed 
bim bow much be wronged me by bk sospkHoos, and bowsewartly I bava sni* 
fered for any indisoretfon of wbkb i asaybtfe bea» gaiHy* ObyMMaayMa- 
flaa !** ^ ,.-*.-.,.. , 



248 SRNNBsriNB nk i^oy; on. 

Hen liit k»rdiUp*» j^HmImi tecMle to fUteH iImI he was uodbie to pro» 
ocsdy and tratencd Ihe aparnueaty beatiog bis broast» and at lolinraiK ayu 
imog iacpbtatftt wmtmMWp ikaa oafiilnMlf p taw rt 4ke oMiiai «|Oay be was 
oadergaiaf. At lm%th bt tbreir likosclf into a cbaar, aad, letfaUg hU bead 
•pMi his band, be gave bimself ap eoiireljr to tbe ioteusity of Uf rtiiawil 
tiioathlfc He brooded oter tbe past events of bk Jile— evems wbicfa he bad 
kept scoieily ooaAoed to bis own breast i aed at .tknes be re|iroaohed bias- 
Mil Isr tbe Imptndeace of wbicb be bad beea giiUty» and then partlaUy 
r«eoDeiled bis mind by eadeavnuiiug to believe tbat tbere were manf ex. 
trnnating circamstaoces, and upon that point be at length sooeeeded in be- 
oeaing more eoMpescd than he had been for some tiaie. His tbongblt then 
Beverted to Emnestiae, and tbetroubte which was predicted to hiauelf ii b^were 
tapeMiilln nialdjBfl|beiEi^ Flfct hat the lUterlnMirobAbUUy of this ever being 
realiaod was 8«^atii||g»-^hatiit wasfioHtoasito for him to think open UwUbnny 
degree of patience. S • ' ' 

"Emuestinebelbeaiaseof bringing BSMcry.lapoi^iaja|j^e|jiili;rfbe/e<daimad ; 
*< never !— itcpald not be^i It is a base libel apon her gftyteljarfilymaeni nat«m 
ta enceniage such an 1^ for a moment, and I wili driven it ^ign W atol fl|a^ 
nesline, thon Mi«Ur-tbott most be mine, and i will brave, tbe^wt^nenitta, 

whatever they mv^i*' -"^^ • 

No aeoner bad Lord Raymood apoken tbe latter words* than again thai kmd« 

aoomfbl, and a!aipst nneartblr laegb which bn bad heard in tbe mawiing, 

smote bis ears. He started tq J|i^ feet wUb aslomsbmeot* nnd,.tasing in the 

dirdctlon (rQm>mlmmk^ht4im^9^9^ no4aognage can desc^bn^l^i amnrem#iit 

andaglmtion» when he beheld, standing ai if o |Oi»t jijiUnilJUil iiam;tbt inU 

ig w e of the myetirioos mopk. '^ r 

He was fixed 1r blu^mit aMitade, with his arms folded across bis cheat, and . aw 
eloaaiy was bis eowldsawn over bis Csoe, tbat all that cna&d be seen werebb Urge, 
black, and powerfully-expressive eyes, thai were fixed upon Liord Ri^ymobd 
with a look wbicb we are completely at a loss to describe. 
« Htl iosdsblp was qaite paralysed at this noeapected appearance, and stood garing 
with a fscaut stare npon tbe monk, unable to move, or to ntter a syllable. Tbe 
myaterbNts visitor seemed to enjoy his astonisbmeot and alarm, and once arare 
be iaaghed, in a voice of derision and- exaltatlpn. 

He had ealeied the room by a slidiog panel, which opened with aspring,«iid 
w b l eh be bad not again closed ; bat in what manner had he gaioni acoesa to iIm 
castle, and by what means oonld be have become acquainted with t^ apaea- 
menr In which Lord Asjmiand was, and the manner in wbicb to effeet^bia 
aeeret entiance ?— These were tbe tbongbia that darted upon tbe brain ef Lai^ 
Raymond in a n^micnt, and before be could ntter a word ; bnt tliese were qnea* 
tions that he would afterwards ftnd a diOcalty In salving to his satls^ctien. 

«<ByHeavenl" becdedatUst, « this must be some wild dekskw I. Ilyepes 
mnat deceive me 1 Again desi tlmn present thyself to me, mysterimts bebic ' 
lino ordeHl l-*reveal thyself ; I am xeady to enooonter any horror rather tktm 
endure this suspense." 

«^ For awhile longer. Lord Raymond SI. Aswnlpb," said tbe flsonk, in»n4na|^ 
and boUow-toaed voice ^ *' for awhile longer thou must endure thy §ospensg| bgl» 



laiE :iuwBBna ■•0«af>iicB. 



fmt not, Ike laplarjr »iU be ihorOr unmtelled, tkooghMt MWobU thjiMto- 

" Strange, unhliBOD* mui, V mu than aft,** •■ohiMed Lord RayniMd) 
"*ga]D i uk tbee, wbjilait UionioDfieiitpiMar MMt?" 

" BcoBie I delight to lortuw thee," rtplied tka monk. 

Lord lUynond plued hli band npen the hUl of hit awMd, bu uwtber load 
aad MonirDl Im^ traai ibe kwfot rlaitur arrtatad U) parpcae. 

"Idiot t"Gri«dtI>e»p|NNed mook, " keep thy weapoa la U* »hMlk i tfaou bwt 
already leea iM iautlLty irheD oppoaad to BM> It b not thy lifel leek, or I bare 
had plcDtjr ef nppartBDltei of accomplUbiDg my wiihei, aod tbou wooIdH lung 
era tbl« Imtc beeo an inaiite of tbe tooib. No ! I utk a Dion lanible rareat* 
IbM tbtt ; my TCngeauce coold ool be Muialed by Iby daatb alooe." 

" And wbj)lioBld*t tbou leek toienagatlificU^poB ■efdeawndrd LMd 
R^BWiul, ■tlU.raaa]ali)g&S«dU>tb«*potMi wUek bamtttuaiiog.muisuii'f 
opoatboinaak witb a feeUogof awanbiohbafoaadiltaipoaiiMe toaonqnar. 

" Ilfraaia 1 am, and ba** rcMon to ba tfij aiortal eseiay," antiiaced tfaa 
oMnki "beware, Lord Raymotirl,thTliBelicoiBiag— qaicUy MmiBK' Aad then 
it wiH le Bj tara to (riamph aad exalt o*er tba i^mit— 4ha ibii Ibe Md- . 
dwiBf lonaie t diiU Me thea •ndnrc." 

Tike Bwak made ■ mo«e tonardi ibe lecret entrance a* ht (pake, warkg hli 
baadJaaimanadntmiuDer towardi fail lotdiUp. 

" Bj HewaM ! lbo> tbaU DM ^idt ail pboa BntH I fcsatr.whb ttaoa art r* cried 
Lord Raynmd, acting apon the lmpal!« of bli exdted frelingi, drawing hit 
•word, and Tubini toward* Ibe mytleriona man. Tbe former wai aboat to dari 

Nu.S2 



250 sBifi»«ruf« Dft LA0V.; Oit» 

nptti Mm» wkea be tdied Us arm with an iroBgripe, an4 irtailiagttetvard ftom 
faiabaiid,da*kcd H lo Iht ioor, mi4, laying holdnf Uid Aayaond wMitlM naia 
eaie at bt bad befon done In tb« maraiogy belaid hki praalrata. 

Barnlag with hidigaatloa. Lord Bayniond afoaa agala» aa ydckly aa tba iba ck 
hebadraedf«dw<aaldpenalthlBi»batthe Mitioaainofifc waa gowe, and elated 
the panel aflir bin. 

*' Even at the fary baaard of nqr Ufa !" eried St. Aswolpb, ** I wlU parsae 
thee." 

He tooebcd the lecrat apriof ai haapoke, aad daifakif throagb the apartapa» 
boandfd like Ugbtning tbroogh the anlte of roooM beyond, the open deoiw of 
which poiaKdent the wwy the monk bad fled. When bearrifcdatttwendeftbe 
gallary» he thoaghi be cangbt a ^in^pte oi hia peraon, tnrnhig the angle at the 
riottomof tbe8taifcaee,andbastllydfteendiBg, he looked anmnd Mm» but coMd 
not see the least signs of blm^ and not knowing which way to proceed, and lhi«k- 
ing of the nsrifMifss of bis doing so, as be bad no doabt bat the olijectof his 
portnit bad gained the ontslde of the castle by that time, be abandaaed it. 

He made bis way to the old and Ihithfal porter at the gate, and Inqaired wbeAer 
be had seta any parson aaswariag the des c rlpttoa af the moak pan la or oat. 
The old man seemed sarpriwd al the qvesHen, espedaly whea he notloed*«be 
agHated maaaer ol kit lovd, aad baaM^ataly fepMaifa the negatiYe, wMi wMcb 
aaswar Lord Ri^aMiod was satlsiM, aad coaoladed that bis siagolar iMtor 
knew if a seerat antraaea to the eaatle, by wbleh means ba bad beaa cMabM 
to nuke bis appearance befbrebim, witboat the knowledge of any ether person^ 
aadwitboalaByimrafMatalreatbelnreetoi: lie l at a m edeD his ebamber'fai > 
saate of mind which may easily be concehred, and soon became inuaersed in a- 
stain of it fl e t H a m of the aaaat bawUdering dea cri ptio n ^ 



CHAPTER XXn. 

'* And walling shrieks were heard 
Whea the black mantle of the night was spread 
Aravnd. And the owl scree ch*d. 
And ghasQy fduimouis were seen to gHde* 
in tbopalB moonbeanss, *tM 
The crumbUng ndns of that draaiy pile." -^Emciatoa/ 

It vasnlgbt^jmd the party of fassippeit we bate befiore deeciibcdaa fw qa cn ters 
of the back parlonr of tho bastclrie of Matter Hobert flfashami ware asttwUISd 
at usual, with the exception of one indittdnal, whose abteneewaa can^dmbiy 
missed bgr them, as k* ^appffm'^ fft H the awtt impertant and mnmiis paraontgr 
amongst tbami and opon an arecage beiag capable of driakiagaboat m niach 
as three of them, the Ii^mUM wai one who had not the kala ommo t»-iagrei 
that he waa not preaent 



TVft AOIIBBB^I PovnwMin^. Ml 



Variovt eoafediiret wen fnmMd, and H wat it last oiwrhid«l tlml the ab- 
tentac fMt ill; aai Hktj had )«it propoMd that a drpitalloB iImbUI dapari 
ttraightffay to his raililwiqe, whan the door waa tcddeoly hartt ofeOf aad thr 
pa w aa ahowa wh aa iiey wwoao—ah o ua ot i ao d^ withad \n, foK twbliag^ aad 
hia.iaach aluMtiiag la tha bmH lioleaft laaaoar. Ha aaak mIo a ehahv oad 
. ataring ahoal hlni« hit koeca knoeked together, and. In fact, he pteaettled oae of 
the mt»t perfect pietaiea of tenor that oonld poailbljr he iaM|ln«d* 

HIa aaaodatea tUred at hiai la amaaemoot* aad thea they all together enqulted 
what had happened to ahum Mm ki laeh aaMBiBer. He aiado several offiirta to 
«iplf»liat th^ fsere idl laeflbctoali heopeacd hia aiooth very arlde, looked rc- 
.■MrMi^ alHpid» and faand It hapos^UetoghreattcaaDoetoasTlhihle. 

" In th« aMM of aU tbe blessed sahita Id the caleadar* Qrcgory/ti repeaaed 
Hoharl aeashaai) '^ what has happened to thee ? What hath oosorred tosaare 
thaa.*as2" . 

Qre^aif ooee aiore opened his BKinth, and made an efbrt to retnm an anawer 
to this IntetNfaloryi bnl ht Uled, and. If possihie, lortcd more Arigfatettcd 
fhawnaar> 

**Saaiethinf paitlanlar ninst haao taken place to eanse MaMar Grafary to he 
10 sash a oondltlon as this/' said another of the oonipany. 

Pne ate^ hi aphe of the atata of snspenee aad earlaalty Into which they were 
att thiowa by this reauwkahlo elreoaMtaoee^ v entnr sd ta anrarise that ht had 
met hIa wils^ k n o wlag that aha was a bit of a tfirmtgnnii and a loarth party 
thonght that parhapa ha had eaoonntered the White iCnlght, win they anw aU 
sat do«a lor a saparaalaral heing} bat none ol thafar caait^tarea appealed 
to bo right. 

<<0h, frleadal oh«deart oh, dear I" at hwt Offfpry foaad pnwtr ta fidalm ; 
and they all opened their ears, anxiona to learn the whole partlcvlars of the 
canse of hIa emotion* 

'* What'a the matter, man ?" asked Habert, Impatiently. <• Ha?e thy senses left 
thee?" 

<< Oh, no, good Master Hnbert," answered Gregory, ** my senses have not 
me, althoogh I have had eaoagh to make them.** 

** What do yon mean ? Why don't you eiplain ?*' asked three or ioor voices 
. atoooe. 

'<0h, dearl I will never pass that way again; I will never more veatare near 
that place. If 1 should get half the kingdom," said Qngory. 

<< What place are yon allndbig to ?** asked Habert Gleatham. 

*«Themlns of the castle of St. Alwyn,** said Orcgoryi '«ihe late retreat of 
Oamond aad his gang. Oh, dear! oh, dear!" 

'' What have tlie ralna to do with yonralarm?** Inqalred oae of the party. ^ 

'^WhathaaathfjrtodowlthitraiedtfaottrrMledataa) ««wby, everythhig. 
Ohl sachaaighl,ishaUneverlDifitittomydylagdayr 

^ Whatt hava yaa aaea soaMthlng r* 
■ ** Saea somathiag i The Holy VIrgia Imp me from havhig sneh another sight, 
«ad.lramhaadng,alao, the featialaaaads that I have doaetMt eight. BIydear 
fr l aadB ^astracaaiamaahMiCfy the ruins of St> Aiwya Cattle art haantcd. I 
Iwft seta a— a—" 




11S2 MmfinmwriHm 9».i»Aflii; 






**A4r»lMi oimlailiMUif tiiMri^AhfftlArAd^vUf or dM ll|r miM ye 
hwinKca by a wbol9 k^tm of «vAUpi4ia. I ntUy 4b ttok (lull ibe ftkoiU^ 
•il Uie.ffybken mko tort Mi^ir \^m n\ytm tkm amiui coofla^mSiui U»% |ibee» 
haaot the mint. Ob, rffttr t" 

** Tlw saintft prff««n« a» ! yoa dm't aa|.ao» Qregary 1'* ezdataicd tbc olbcr 
fiMflfy looking more UTrifted tluyi tboy had done befoic 

" 0Qt I do tay so/' rctomcd Gregory, ** wd 1 thiak to too. If tbey bid acird 
^igbt« tbey would bairo raaed tbe mint to tbe eartb, aod erected a mooattery oa 
tbe tite {*tbat would bavc dri?eu all tbe bobgoblint away, Til warraou" 

*< Wall, well, but tbou batt aot yet told ut wbat thou hatt teeo/* taid Hubert. 

*< I tbadder witb borror wbeo I tbiuk of it,*' retonied Gregory, looking round 
tbe room, at if be feared and expected to bebold tome frigbtfal object. 

** Well, do teU at tbe particulart of tbit adventure, and tben we tball be 
better able to Judge how far it It true, or wbttber yon bate tnffered yo«r own 
limM Unagination to overcome you," remarked one of tbe hnUfidualt whff were 
present. 

•*My timid Imagimulan*" cried Gregory, beeosing ratber lncciiMd«-«« tvbtt 
do yea maao by tbat? I wlU krt yon kuow tbat I batv all tbe aooMKo wIM 
mortal man ougbt to pottctt ; but I do aot fwettad to be partioalafiy partial -to 
tbe tadalf of bobgoUioaaademtplritt; and if tbat it year iatte»yee will And 
|4cBty ef eomfaBy te yeat mlad, I bave no doubly at the raioa o( tbecatileef St. 
Alwyn." 

** Come, a trure witb tblt watte of time," remarked Hobart Olaatbam ; 
** wbat is tbe ute of qaarrelliog aiion tbit tubject ? We do not tuppote tbat tbou 
would'tt tcUos an untruth, Gregory; but we ibongbt, perbapt, thy eyet migbt 
deceive tbee. But tbou art sucb a wuik before tbou wilt tatitfy oar cariotity, 
that it is quite eooogh to put ut oot of all sort of patience." 

*< Well, then," taid Gregory, after be bad refretbed bit ** toward man," in 
order to give himself more courage for tbe tatk be bad aUoted te bimtelf, " all 
of ye draw your cfaairt closer to mine and lltlen te me.** 

Hit friendt and attoclatet did at be desired them : and tben, having for abeat 
the bnndredtb time taken a turvey of tlie room, fearfbl tbat bis eyet might eu- 
cottoler tome ghastly object, be began :— 

** Yoo matt know," taM be, ** tbat It wat very partieular betinett which 
eaUed uk te tbe vichiity of tbe raint, or you m^y reit aitured tbat I sAookl 
ttol baie geee near tbeoi s for tbe caHle of St. Alwyn was eon any Ibv^rke plate 
^f ailee before Ht-duewttlun, eeMier, 1 dare tay, wat H tba« of aoy pertea 
pteten^ 1 be bonioeat 1 went npoa ecc u pled me kmfer than I eapedad It woeM 
bave done; aod it waa ai^t and pMi dark bcdme I ttartad ftomlbelieQteolAy 
friend, and at I tbould be compelled to patt tbe mint, I did not feel myetlftery 
comfortable, and thu'a tpeakiag tiK Wvib, aUbeegb 1 tboahl aot-lmve minded 
to much if I bad bad a oomfiankm. Yon know tbat it it a partfonhur. lonely 
tpot where tbe castle formerly ttood, and even by daylight it ia bf no meant ki- 
vUing ; and by (he time 1 arrived there it wat very, dark Indeed, and 1 cpnld not 






TffB ROfiBBE'8 VOOKBLIWO. 2SS 

Me wy pertoo new me. Well, at lesfflb 1 readied to wUMn a im yMilt of tbe 
draa4ed pteoe, aad wat eodeavooriog to qakken my pmstf wbok niittAy bit 
feolsleiM were anetted^ and my whole loal boaod op in horror, wheo« noiae 
wMch I civnot deieribe, and which aeeniod to proceed from afl iMMlmhiuidred 
tieibooa, smote my ears, and froie the very Mood in my telni.'' 

*<Ood Uesi na!" cried two or three of the alarmed ilatonert at once | '* are 
you tare yon were oM deceired, good Matter Gregory ?** 

*• Certain,*' replied Gregory ; «• of coarse I am ; and if I were to IWe fcr a 
handred years, I should oefer forget tL It was such a sonndt ohl awNli 
I endeavoured to hasten from the pUce, bat I was fixed, rivetted to the 
earth, and my eyes, althoagh I woald fain liave aTorted them, iaToInntarily 
became fixed npor the ruins. The tower, which remains almost entire, seemed 
to be lighted up with a •upematurai fire ; and, as I looked, I could swear that 
more than once or twice I saw hideous forms flitting past the different brehen 
cas^i^peats; but so deep was the feeling of horror which crept throughout my 
yeion, thet I found it impossible to moTS from the spot While I thus stood, 
mi appallinf shriek Tibrated in my cars 1 1 turned my head hastily round, and, 
as I live, I saw— oh— oh— oh I*' 

The ftoeats drew their chairs closer to each other |— their conntevances he- 
spoke the moat intense anxiety and fear i their Ihces became very pale, and 
a,ehntterinf of teeth might ho plainly distlngaished. 

'•Wh^-hat did yoa aeeT* fisitered oat the aozlooa and frightened gaeste « 
«nd yet they were fiwftil of being informed of ike natnre of that which Gre- 
gory had either seen, or imagined he had seen. 

*' Oh 1 it was dreadful ,'* said Gregory, after a pause. ** Close by my side 
•tood a tall figure in white, and Its countenance, which was ghastly pale, bore 
upon it all the horrors of the cbamel-honse $ and then its eyes, oh, I^*' 

^The Blessed Virgin protect us I** cried the guests, crossing themselves, 
and then the chattering of teeth, and knockbg together of knees, became 
louder than before ; " but are you sure it wag a spectre ?** 

«« Oh, yes," antwered^Gregory , '* quite certain, and that it was the phantom 
of a woman* Oh, it was so horrible, and she did look so frightfully at me, and 
then, uttering another pierclag shriek, It glided from my sight | fuad by the 
light of the moon, which had just before peeped from behind a dark cloud 
I saw the spectre glide intc the tower^ aad soon afterwards re-appear at one 
of the casements, surrounded by a sapernatnral liighta at the saase tfc n ^ tfcm 
1 heard a repetition of the wonderful and terrific sounds that Imd beforo ao 
greatly alarmed me* . I raahed from the apot, and sMde my way predpiiately 
to this house, and nothing slu>aid ever Induce me to go near the ruios of the 
eastle in the broad daylight again even, noi not If 1 wero to he made King of 
Eagland." 

There was a long paase eunod after this recital, and the guests looked at 
one another with an expreesion of countenance which plainly shewed the fear 
with which It had inspired them. 

•< Marry* bnV that is a most extraordinary account, Master Gregory/' ob. 



i«rvfltf«Mf», at lift I "^m eMMi^raiMry, Me«tf, 1ft4t P<MI«m««lf eredk 
If, afld ftin ffeeniMd «i IMHiMi tiat «b»« UM sttftMd tkf feift to'iiM»t» 

«• Psha I** tetdly ezcUlmad Gregory, " bow f ery ifibtllOTlBiftlimi aff^M** 
tor Httl^rt. I ttU^ilie^, Ufkwt me, or bellof • m not, t uw II «f pfeln •« I 
fee thee now, eod such eo Improtiioa tbon mayetC be sere It aia4e apM ne 
that I iball ne^er be able to eflkoe tbe clrcumstaiice from my memonf, «vA I 
could almott faaey tbat tbe awfU ipectro was ttandlog before me flow.** 

•I Oh,—- oh,— ob I'* groaaed out all tbe guetts •imQltanedu^, aad Ifetfbg 
•till closer tbaa ever to eaob other ;— " doa't. Matter Gregory, doa^t.** 

Still wae Hubert Cleaibam very foeptical upoa the tubjeet, aad be eo«M 
not bring hit miod to belioTe but that Gregory had only Imagined flia' wMfci 
be aow itated potitiTely to ha?e eeen aad beard. Thie wae, boweter, a moif 
awfal and'important subject fbr the party to diseosi, and It occupied tbfe wMe 
of tbe e? eaiag, and until they bad woAed tbemielTes up Info a state ef etfcAl 
extreme terror that they were almott afraid to look aroaad Oiem, arfd diMdsi 
tbe time when they mutt eeparate for the ii1gbt» arrl? lag, afthough they w«re 
all going In tbe mme directloo, and would, therefore, be cmnpany fbr eMt 
other. Tbe lateness of the hour, however, compelled fbem at hnt lo break «p, 
and they quitted iSbm house, keeping very close to each other, and faacyhig 
every iound they beard, if It was only tbe whittling of the wiad atrifct the 
foliage, was some dismal and nneartbly moan, and conjuring up all kinds Vf 

shapes to alarm them. 

As may be expected, this strange and awful adventure was soon spread all 
oter'tbe'aelghbourhobdj alid,proae to superstition as mast persoas were la 
tbose unenlightened days, every credit was ahaott universally attached Id 
It. At length a party of gentlemen, In clading Sir Egbert de Coorcy and 
Lord Raymond, as tbe report of tbe haunted ruins became mere current, 
formed a resolutloa to watch and Inspect them, in order that they might 
ascertain the trnth or (klsebood of the rumour, and also to endeavour to Had 
out wbetKftr or not It was the work of some impostor, or Impostors, for some 
sinister purposes. Tbe same noises were heard, and tbe same form appeared 
to them, and exactly as Gregory had dsKrlbed them, and they endeavoured 
to seiae the supposed spectre, but In an Instant It vanished, and shortly 
afterwards re-appeared at one of the casements of the tower, sarrounded by a 
blue light* and its ghastly countenance seemed to grin at them with the most 
unnatural exultation; but a moment, and it was gone; but in tbat moment 
liord Raymond had seen enough to All Us breast with the most powerful feel- 
ings of terror and emotbn. He bad fixed Us ejes latently upoa the ghastly 
and cadaverous isataree 6f tbe phaatoe^ and they recalled to bis memory a 
beiag be woald fain have effaced from his recollection altogether. A deadly 
sickness came oter him, and he could scarcely support himself. 

Notwithstaodiag the gentlemen were all of them positive that they had not 
deceited themselves, and really believed tbat the form they bad leca was not 



'THE bobbbb's bovhomko* 3i5 

m^^Hmimwmtmi •wfiri inMk; tktij^ ibM»lBc», «ftMil «■(» «wMfti tlM^«tli«f 
kaviaf broaght with tlMM th« iMCMiftry artlbles fiH* obtetoiog a lifht^to fMfdi 
tkaraint allow* 

Lm4 RaysMMd wo«ld ralher not have areonip«Bk4 them ia tlUi ywt of 
iU biiiaw% aftor tbo sbock bit fetlUft bad WMtAlMdi bol fcarfil IImH bto 
frkodt mlgbt by any cbance mlicoiistnit bU Motl? ci, be rai«td bo •bJtetkNi. 
A toreb wtt ipMdtty llgbted, and tbe wbola party lanediately eroned tht old 
dravbridga, wMcb bad no^ yat been dattroyed i and whboat meetiof witb 
any oppotMoa or obttractlooy tbey entered ibe tower, wblcb we ba?o fre« 
faaaUy before mentioned. Tbelr entrance disturbed eeteral owli, wbo bad 
talien op tbeir reaidence tberein, and tbey set ap a dismal icreecb, as tbongb 
b9 wmtn Ibem to depart and abandon tbeir desifn* Tbb was» bowever, the only 
m^m tbnl diatnrbad Ibam i and, perceivlaf notbing to excite tbeir alarm, tbey 
pmfteadad •▼« tba dlfbrant dalapldated apartments, wllboat encountering any^ 
fUeal vbMkevas» and at lengtb tbey arrived at tbe door of tbat room at tba 
fiMMM^nt of wblob tbey were coaftdent tbat tbey bad apen tbe pbaatom stand- 
ing It' was wide open» birt no one wan in tbe roooit nor did tbare seem to be 
tba least alfna of any one baving bean tbare. Tbero was not a single place 
about tbe rnlns tbat tbey missed examining, at least tbal tbey were acqnaiated 
»itb| and tbay left tben, feelinf satlslled diat tbeia was too mucb reason to be- 
llere in ibe place boinf baanted by snoia tronbled splritf and ngreaing tbat 
tbe sooner tbe raluB wore removed tbe better. 

Notwitbitandinf y bowerer, tbis opinion, no stepa were taken to pall tbem 
down» and tbey remained a terror to tbe nelgbbonrbood, aod to all persons wbo 
bad oceasloo to pam near tbe spot. Lord Raymond ft-eqaently reflected upon 
tbe mysterious circumstance » and altbongb be endeavonred to persnada him* 
self tbat be had soffered bis Imagination to deceive bbn* he could not succeed 
In drivinf away the Impression the features of tbe supposed spectre had made 
upon his miod g and this event, added to the singular behaviour and threats of ibe 
mysterious monk, and tbe White Koight, and the prognestlcations of Hal of 
the Glen, notwithstaoding tbe near approach'of his nuptials with ErDoestine, 
occaiiooed him many hours of uneasiness. But the lime was nigh at band 
when tbf mystery was to he unravelled* 



I ■ I — ^^T^-^^-*»-i»— i^i%i»»— 



CHAPTER XXfll. 
^ H«nce, borrlMe shadow ! 
Unreal mockery, banco t^-^mssfBiB* 

The ooBstemation ctnied bj this mystcrlons drcnjnstanoe amoogatthe persons 
who frequented the liule back parlour of Hubert Clenaham'a bostelrie, has h^en 
before described ; and it was increased by the alarmiog reports that were daily 
being made by individuals who stated that they had been led aocidentally near (he 



25S BRNNBSriNE DB LACT ; OB, 

niliM, ami had tcSTtbe spectre of ihe womui as ibe bad appeared to Qregory^ 
and tbote gentleiiieii who had fUitcd them for the pnrpoee of aioeftaiiiiag the 
trath oi Mpehood of the ramoiir* Such, ladaedy wai the terror ereatad bjr the 
evcDty l^^tbe cottages In the immedUte vidnity were qoicUy deserted* the 
simple p^pnts iBsagintag that they would be spell booad ware thty to reside in 

Ibetocali^ 

That the report was not false, was very erident from the cortoboratire testi- 
iKMiy of ?arioiis iDdifldnals» who had seen It, and apoo whose word the nunost 
rellaooe might be placed { bat whether It was a spirit, or some wretched maniac 
or Impostor, who had taken ap her residence there, and adopted the plan for 
the j^^Qse of aUrmlog the ndgbbonrs and rendering her retreat the more secore, 
the^Ki not yet been able to ascertain, bat it will not be wondered that in those 
days of ignorance and superstition, the generality of the people shonld firmly be- 
lieve in the former. 

Gregory, when they met together in the evening al the ** Flagon,** naver fiUled 
to broach the subject ; and every time that he reverted to it. It was to add soiie* 
thing to the horror of his description of what he had t^, aadf to protest the 
most Implicit fiiith In the sapamaturai character of that which he had seen. And 
his auditors were all of fhem ready enoi^h to balfeve his statements, howa^er 
jn^ extravagant theymlgfat be, aad, the r aia i e , it b no woader that the alarm ia the 

■i neighbonrhood became so great. 

^ Several weeks passed away, and Lord Rayaend, In the sodety and a lh ptl o ua oi 

oer heroine, had almost fotgottea what he bad reaeatly seen at the nrioa of Be 
Alwyn Castle, and the other eventa, his aseetlnir u^Hh the White Knight, and 
the my s ta ri e us asonk, aad the threats which they had held oat to bim; aliheegh 
when thagr did iccor to hhn they oaased him the ntmost aneasiuem, aad defied nil 
his efbrts to aaravci them* 

Emaealine, however, fidt fisr from satisfied at the mystery of his manner, and 
Areqoently qocs^ned him upon the different events that had recently taken plaoe i 
but more espedally as to the cause of his agitation on sedng the ring which the 
White Knight bad placed on her finger, and bis detention of the same. He always 
evinced more emotion on this qaestlen bdng put to bim than any other, and 
evaded It as well as be possibly could ; and Emnestine, sedng the angui»h ft 
caused him, at length forbore to refer to the subject, although she was so anxlons 
to have the mystery unravelled. 

And now the day which was appointed for the nuptlaU of Sir Egbert de Coorcy 
and the Lady Marguerite rapidly approached ; and the greatest preparations were 
made to celebrate It with the utmost nragniffoence. All the nobility for miles 
around were invited to be present at the ceremony, and to partake In the fes- 
tivities that were to take place on that occasion ; aad it was determined that 
the gates of the castle of St. Aswolph (in the chapd of which the marriage rites 
were to be soiemaised,) should be open to all who chose to come, whether high 
or low, rich or poor. Emnestine was to be the bridesmaid to Lady Marguerite, 
and never did she look forward to any day with more Joyful antidpatioo, which 
she hoped would consummate the happiness of her whom she had every reason 
to love with the same warmth of affection as if she had beea her sister. 
The chapel of the castle, and the grand banqoetdag hall, were fitted up in a 



THB bobber's foundling. 



•qlaof ibe nlMoit tpUndoar for the kappjr neat; and ibe naDlOccoMof the 
noUe fimUj of St Aiwolph, ind Etr EgtnrI ie Courc; wu oerer mora UbanUj 
dbplajoL For wetki before tTCir pcrroo had bccD od Ibe lip-toe of Jofoiu an- 
tldpaOoa, and ibe ireddlng dajr nai looked lorward to aa a lenenl boUdtj in 
Ifaa BdiAbouhood ; and it wat rMoInd that the falivltiM iboald be pc«loa|cd 
for aeraral dajt la lUc aad toaroari and other noble iporti. 

Sir Bgbert wa* nrj nacb catetmed, for ihere were fen KcnllemeD that «oald 
nrpaaa him (or tke (oodnau of hit heart, and bii otber noble aad (cncroDi 
quUtlut and the amlabU and pblUaibrople dUpo*liiaa of Ladjr Maigueiite bid 
endeared her to ercrr one wbo knew btr— thereftiK Ihe; had the bleulBil and 
food n>Ub«i of all for their hipplani, aad Jay leeoied certais b> crown that 

EniDettiDe wai alnoat ooDilanilji at the caiUa prerioM to the aoloo, aod In 
Ihei ibtt frai already looked upon ai one of the famllj, betrothed at the wai to 
Lord RajDOod, and eonciilatlDg bj her nnmcroai rlniKt tbeloraofthamtUaod 
ererj perton wbo knew her. 

A tew ereDlnp before the itj appolnled f> r the odIod bad arrUed, Lord Raj- 
noDd harlDg bees oiled awa; from the caille apoo baBioeii, Ludj Hariueriie aud 
eu bttoine ranblcd forth together; aod attracted bj the fiscne'i of the weather,, 
asd Indol^f In pleaalog contertation, thut wandered en, heedlne of ib* eourte 
Act were pwining, or of the lapM of lime, nntU thej were aroiwc;) bjr the 
tbadei of night falUsg open the earib, and looking aronr.d tbem to lee the place 
to which tbej had itiolled, the]! were iDrpditd to fiod ibemMlvea la the Inme- 
diateTlctoitioflberninio(St,Alwin CasiW 

No. 33 







<258 SRNNBSTINE DB I^ACTf OR, 

AMMMNdi KmiMttiM Md lier Idr Mmpuioii pteccd but iMe belM in Ite 
—pfBff il, the wikisioriaitiMjlHdluttdalKmltteipecinwIiiehwasHM^o 
teoBl tke raiiig»ud wUcb liad been MdMDtkatsd hf Loid itofaoMi, Sir Eg- 
tartf aid ocben, MliinUi creaied Ibdr alum} and on iodiBg ili wii rii ea ao 
Mar tlie plaoe to which lo oiany borran ware atlacbcd» they HUt a bmnI iMwar- 
iol lepiatofc of dread stealing over tbenii and were imiaediaiely aboat to mm 
away lo retrace their footitrps to the castle* what they were suddenly startl^ 
and appalled by pierdog shrieks, that seemed to piooeed from the d d a pM a tfd 
lower, and in a moneoi lights Uased froBS every caseaMot, and a nanber of 
stiaage and iodistlact forms appeared to flit past then. They were both uans- 
flxed to the spot^ and looked in eaeh other's Cmcs with terror, bat were nnahle 
to otter a syllable, or to move* A brief pause cnsaed, and then the shricha 
were repeated, and reioanded loadly through the foreet^ and were teitcraled in 
fterfhl echoes aronnd. 

. •' The holy Virgin protect as I" eicUimed Margnerite. <« What caa be the 
meaning of these unearthly sonnds ? Is it not stiange that we shoald have wi* 
eonsdously directed onr foototeps hither ?" 

** Oh I let ns begone," returned our heroine, «my heart sinks with terror. 
C^mtt come, let us not delay a aaoaseat, for we know not what dinger asiqp he 
impending over us while we reoudn here." 

Emnestinetook thearmofher terrilled oompanlon as she spoke, and thty were 
about to hurry from the spot as Ast an thefar legs woold permit them, when anolher 
shriek as appalliug ^^ the others they had heard, reverberated In their ears, and 
turning themselves suddenly round upon the impulse of the moment, by the light 
which the moon now shed upon the earth, their alarm may be reaiUly conceived 
when they beheld standing within a few paces of them the figure of a female 
dotbed in white, and whose countenance was ghastly pale, while her eyee weae 
fixed with an awful expression upon them. The spectre, for earthly bdng it did 
not seem to be, was perfectly inanimate, and might have been taken for a aurhle 
statue, had it not been for tbe penetrating glances that darted from lu eyes; but 
although the pallid hue of death was npon its countenance, there was somethiog 
peculiarly beautltol in its cast of features, which fssdnated while at the same time 
it awed the beholder. 

Horrorstmck, Emnesdne and Lady Marguerite dung to each other, and were 
Incapable of movlnif from the spot, and their eyes became rivetted on the mys- 
terious and awfal form before them. 

At leogtb the spectre seemed to fix its eyes intently upon the countenance of 
oor heroine, and as it did so, it appeared to be moved by some powerful and 
extraordinary emotion, the chest heaved, and the fratores became animated as 
with bfe. It advanced nearer to them, and as a feeling c»f awe thrilled through 
thdr bosoms, they involuntarily sunk on their knees, and the ptiantom, if such it 
really was, raised its arms above the head of EmnesUne, as if invoking a bcne- 
dictoo upon her. 

An indescribable feeling superseded that of terror In the bosom of onr hei^ine, 
and she once more ventured to raise her eyes towards the countenaoee of tbe 
spectre, and btheld it lighted op with an expression that charmed her to look 
«poi^ , Another monient, and she jelt her arm grasped, and she was raised from 



THX ROBBSr'b FOUNDLlKO. '259 



mtfk. It«M tiM gnup of » atrtal hnd, in ivhloh lliv UCt-MMI lowed 
-^rtm, aad CMMiaeed thu she mM Mot ««r Ib Hw^ ^Mttoeeiif a • upmttu tl 
bdiig» BtwMMioe gntrm^tom nolMMlimi ol iiloiiithmtnt, aid tiM aqFUi- 
ito— b iiii g iecBWd lo ke abouttoHirow ber aran araaDd her to a a Wac i btf, 
tvtai laidialy a kwd foko cried •«Fot«nrr— aodthetallifii«orttM€it7 
'Monk Hepped in bttween then, Bnaettioo and Marguerite ahrtnUog back wtth 



^ ^'Away! aimyl** ta c ialmed tim aMmk^ addre«hig the ttnmge beiog, aadwa?* 
lag hit arm io a coBBUUMiiog manner I—** Hm time bat not yet coBM. Beware!*' 
~ Tbe m y H c ri o u a woaMB^ kit taob sbe efldently was* flied one more ierrefet 
laelKoraflbclkNi opoo oar bereiae, and tben taraing away in tbe directkm of tbe 
miaet sbo dlfappeared witb astaditblng rapMity. 

Bmoasllae and Margaerica now felt more terriiad tbaa tbey had beea beftm, 
wlien tbey Iband tbemielvea io tbe pretence of the Grey Friar, wlieee dedgat 
migbt be of tlie mott evil detcripHoa ; and M arg oer Ue waa aiore etpcdally 
alMaBed» wiMa Iw taiaed bcr by tbe arm, aad tbe law Mt Maelc and pierdng 
eyet fixed upon her eoantenaoce, in a nuunier wMeb made tier tremble. 
' ** Fair ilargaerite of 8t Atwolpb,* bo tald» la a pecallar Toice, tbe tooet of 
wbtob were anflcitnt to aiabe tbe bearer thadder; «Mboa trembktt, aad wall 
migbtett tboa, dldtt tbon bat know ia wbote pretence tboa now ttaadett Did 
Ibntieal iadiatd to gratHy tbe witbet I once lndnlgrd» bow eatBy mi^t I aow 
bear ibee away, and bold tbee teearaly In my power. Bat tbe detigot I bad 
oace agabMt tbee» I bave now abandoned, and my tboogbtt art directed to an- 
other purpote. Go thy way, therefore, and fear not Intemptlon from tbe Grey 
Friar, ahboogb thy brother amy well dread Mt tengeance. Bmneitine, I caatlbn 
both tboa and Lady Margverite, not to mention tbb cirenmttanoe exactly at it 
Imt occarred, bat to andeavoar to keep ap tbe imprettlon that the form tboa batt 
teen It that of a toperaataral being* Farewell ; we shall often meet again, aad 
tbe 6me b not te dittant when tbon thalt know who 1 really am, and when 
every myttery will be explained.** 

At tbe uKNik tpoke, be tnatched a band of each of them, and raiting them 
to bit lipa, kiased tbem vehemently, v then rushing battlly from the spot, be 
qalckly ditappcared^x leaving them ia a state of tbe atmott attonltbmeat and be« 
vHlderment. 

Tbit extraordlaaiy event had taken tncb an effect npon tbem both, that tbey 
coold not offsr to ttir from tbe place on which tbey were ttandlDg ftir teveral 
nsoaientt after tbe tnppoted monk bad departed; bat at leogtb Ernnestine being 
the ftrtt to recover hertelf, laid bold of the arm of her companion, and harried 
her away wltlioot speaking a word. 

Tbey were not kmg In arriring in sight of the Cattle of St. Aswolpb, and It was 
BOt till then that Eranettlne and Lady Margoerile ooald give exprettton to tbelr 
feeHnp. Tbey panted to take brralh, alter the tpeed with which they had beea 
walkiag, and then oar beroloe tomlng to ber companion, said t— 

** Oh, Aiargnerite, what a remarkable adventure It that we bave met with thlt 
night ;— it It one of that myaterkrat description, wfakh I find it Impottlble to 
iitbom, and which tbe more T think of it, serves to Involve ma ttm ftirtber lo 
donbt, anxiety, and nncertalaly. That tiogular being, which abw we are coa« 



260 BAKNB8T1NK DJi I«A€T ; OR, 

ninctd U auH«al» iHdti ibou not aotioe Uic coitff«Hi4iiMinf eoMlioil tbc orlMti 
nUcn tba mw ne ; aad Hm glmon 9i afc«tiM Md agilMkio wl^b ih« flaed 
upon rae, at the kaol OTcr me, and invoked t blettlng Hfon my tieadi** 

" I did» grattctrtaiy antiPicd Lidy MtifMitte, *• and ne^erikdi WwM ii>y- 
thing more imprcttivo ; and her comMcuanoe whloh bad bafoit azdled oar lsfffor» 
Ipokjoi lovdy Id the atitsma* Who oaa th*be, and what cm hidacebflr 4e bclAfd 
in the tiogttUr maimer the it dmt daliig» and to itko ap bar abode io tba oM 
rained toiver ? That monlLy too, I cauaot think of him witbont a Ihettag of bor* 
ror« and etpcdaily after the threatt be btt iMld oat agalaa my brotbert and the 
freqoeney ot liib appearance to him, and under tnch strange drcnmitanctt." 

** He told ut that the time wat approtcblng wlien thete ambigoitlet would ba 
ezplaioed, and I am all anxiety for Itt arrival,** udd oar heroine, ** ahbonidi, at 
the tame time, 1 have a aecret dread that the explanation will briag ndtery to 
tome of ut«" 

** From the wordt be uttered, aad the commanding tone in which be tpoke 
to her, it it evideot that the mytterloat woman and hhntelf are in tome way 
connected/' obterved Lady M argnerite. 

** 'IVoe," ratamed Ernoettine^ ** and probably the it the victim of Mi cruelty 
and oppretilon. Bnt I think, Marguerite, that it will be better for vt not to 
mention anything of thlt occurrence to Lady CelettlDe, your brother, or Sir Sg- 
bert, after the warning which the monk pive ut, and I tremble at the bare Idea 
of iococring hit ditpleMura.** 

** I agree with yoa, Bmnertlne,'* rrpliad Lady Marfoeiile, <* and will M4 
divulge a tcntenoe i my brother Is foUy aware that he bat an anemy la tbit 
unknown aumk, aad, tberefora, there b ao n ec c ml ty lor oar patdng Mmoa hl« 
guard." 

'< 1 tnsttthatthe evUdedgnt of that ttnmge bdog, wbatewr they amy be,** 
remarked oar heroine, *' may be frattmted. But, it it not singular. Lady Mar* 
gueritca4hat, although your brother. Sir Kgbert, aad the other gentlemen who 
accompanied tliem, taw the woman who hat tbit evening appeared tent aaier 
llie old tower, and Immedlalcly followed her, they were nnable to eee anything 
of her in the boUdlog, although they tearcbed every part of it mott miontely, 
they could not tee ai^flbiag of heri nor ditoem the laatt tignt of the place bahif 
inhtbited ?*' 

*• That wat raaiaitabla,'' tald Lady Margamite; ** bat the mffbt btaacMMied 
by some of the andeifroand patsagct taamediately on their entnmca." 

Tbey had now reached tba cattle, and they, therefore, dropped tba toover* 
ntion; aHboufb, at m^ beeipected, H had made n very powerful Impretilon 
upon their miodi. 

Lord Haymood and Sir Egbert, who had retarned, were raibrr'aarpitoed al 
tba length of their abteace from the ctmlei bat at they <lld not avinee a^ 
emotion or alarm, tbey bad not any satpidoa that anytbiiif of an onntoal natara 
bad happened, and that the fi amaem of the evening bad mofely iaduoed them to 
proloag their walk* 

Kranetthie reomlned thatoight atthecaitle,andelepllnthetameebaa^eraa 
Lady MMrguerU^, and when tbey retired to rati, tb^ again oonversfd apan tba 
extraofdlnary adfcature- they bad me% with, hat wcro «pilte anabla 19 focttibe 



THE BOBBBR^S VOUNDLIITO. ^ 261 

iUl|ite»t piobabk eoi^cotme m to wbo Ike ■■pptpd pbaatom aod the mytte- 
ukam 9ms Vtimt reaUy wemi iti4 Ibe iimr# they dbooeraed e|Mm il, the more 
bewildered did Uiej becone. 

At leegtb tirri of telkiog upob • iikiecl erbkh tbejp found It etlerly Impotiible 
to imniftli tliey fitfe it «ip» end retired to lett. 

The tinM peiied rapidly aiMiy after thitedfeotart, and at leagth the amtpldoiK 
day wkkh wa» lel apart for tbeiMipliaUof Lady Maifoerlle and Sir Egbert de 
Cowey acrifedi 



CHAPTER XXKV. 



** Oh, litteo to my nlDftrelffie, 

Ye lords aa4 ladlet brlj[;bt. 
The wkile I tiagof gallaot doedi 

Perform'd by stalwart knight. 
The deeds perforin'd on battle field 

Shall fill the minstrers song i 
And bow his prowess he display'd 

Attiltandtoamament.'*— Old Ballad. 

All was gtiety and bottle hi the neighboarbood of the castle, and at an early 
hoar of the morning It might plainly be seen from the nonsual aethrityof the 
InfkaMtams of fhedlierent cottages on the wldedomahM of St. Aswolph,that 
iomttMog of an emtraordlnary character wae ahoy* to take phee. There was 
no distinction of persoeages hifited to eelebrats the anspldovs ereot hi festfTe 
mhth, hot flrom the peer to the peasant, nU were aUke at llherty to en]oy them- 
selves aeeording to thehr itaHons and tasres. The preparatloni were upon the 
most eitensire acale, and the Mlarky which prevailed seemed to be the bar- 
Wnger of ^tore happlnesa to the fMr hrkle and bridegroom. 

In the castle itself the scene was not hMe mnfmafeed than that which prevailed 
without. The lot ely brlde» and her still oMrs beaeteons bridesmaid, our gentle 
bcrv^f , who had remained at St. Aswolph Oastle for a few di^ preirfous, left 
their chambers at the first bhith of ** grey-eyed mom," and soon afterwards 
the dMforent nbbtemen, knlghti> and ladles, who bad been hiflted, arrired, all 
attired io the most elegant manner, and the bridiil procassioo shortly after- 
wards moved on Its way to the ebapel of the castle, a nnmber of beanfeons 
naidf nt preceding tbe bride and hrldettroom, stnwtai|f the way with iowen. 

They reach the chapel<-ihe eeremony is over, and Lady Bffargnerhe and 
Sir Egbert de Conrey are united In tlie indlsseltMe bande of matrtmony, and 
then the gnestsretom to the grand ban, where ttbtlr and rttehy were destined 
to bold their nndbpnted sway. 

The IbstvUiet for the poorer classes, as we have before elattd, spere npon the 
most unlimited scale, and the hmnble hinds seemed determined to enjoy tbe 
JI fer si o m piwrkled for them to the ftdtest extent. Bootiis were ereeted, which 
were filled with traders from vatfooi paru, inpeeing paltry ghllertog baubles 
OB th# skspleciown, wbobooght forhis mUtrenthetlnml finery, and tboofht 



W2 BftKNSSriKB Dft LAOT; OU^ 



of whiehy as the hungry peasant partook, ht Mewed the hride and bridegfoiwrf, 
at4 «leo1im>lart tin fTe«letf1iapplMM w llM iMtly <rf 8i( 
kmi^ we and pfMpcntj to tnfni wl in biliiipefi, Dnnefampy wicttMn^t tnni* 
Mleg^} and deKteione feaptog^nnd Janpini^^ aWmnicd the gaplag cMHftly ivM 
did not think proper to engage In theepftef while Ihrewing the allng, almtnt 
the f wlft arrow at a aiark, ranning, and all manner of athletie tporti» e n g ag ed 
the ndventeroet yotitbt, who, by tiMir aklll and dexterity on that day» won 
aianj an nnguarded heart 

Ner were the aporta of the noMenwn of a leas plaaaing nature ; eara waa net 
pemiitled even to peep wItbHi the waHa of the cattle ofSt Atwolphthat daf» 
and ererj penon aeemed to endeavoor to ontrie his Mlow in denMNMlHiting hih 
happiness. The sninptooas feast— the notes of ** adnstrddey"* and tiie fisntMHie 
aaares of the dance, each came In Ihr their Atll share of pntienagey and the 
f< galHatd measare** had sddoni been dene nore Jnitice to than on tfMl 
eeeasion* 

At night the hall was one Uase of splendour, and the faail f lll ea were k^ 
np eten till M began to show his ftoe orer the eastern hills. 

The three sncoesslre dajs were devoted to the tilt and tonmej, and mneli 
gattani sport was anticipsted, owing to the noaiber of brave knights and no b le- 
■entittt had coowfromaH parts, to dohonoertotfae nnpHals of LadyMtt^ 
gaeitta, and ttr Egbert de Covey* 

«ir Egbert and Lord Rajniond were allowed to beeqoal If not aaprrlor in 
all tonatyand^athletic eit^eiseatoanyof their competiiors ; bntontfais eecn-> 
s laa » el ato with antWpated tflvaiph, and eapected happlnesa, the btidegranm 
and lioadRayaiond waited man early boor on Lady M a rg u erito and P i nnesHnf > 
and with mptnM thry klMed thelrlhir baads, astliey each adyasted «n elffeat 
scnffi^ eneiehed'iwMftlhelff belofed names, acmea their slio^ders. 

Never waa the ap p e arance of Sir Egbert and Lord Raymond aaeffe nebia 
or ooaman^ttg, and they saaited aeivetsal admiration from all who beheld 
them. The #sraier wna encased In bright sttrer annanr, stadded here and 
there with diamonds and other costly jewels, and fimm hit caaqne nodded * 
fdnase ef blood red talkers. The Intter^s bmU waa a bright graen» whilst 
waring gmceAUly la the wiod tarn hia g lH taring helaMtwnsnplnmeef loaw 
white tathera. 

Lady Mafgnesile, (wbayel eo«iee» waa theqneen ef the teatnaaMnt,) nod 
Emnaatiaa^ (who loohed aaern lovely nn that o cc mia n tban she had app emsd 
for some tiaM before,) were conducted to the place appointed for the y ags ot, 
and took tbair aeats, aadd the load shoata ef admiration from the peiaona 
mssmblad. IWn the scene was ene of the asost Imposing nnd asagniicant 
that can well be knaglned. Many gallant knights there weaa amemblad In 
anperb aeeontieaMnla, the blandlshnMnit ef love wore the asaak ef wnr, nad 
aoamef Bnglaad% mesl p e w i ms hen n tk n were semed In tfie ipaslons gallerka 
around* Bmneatlae wna seated by the side ef Lady Margnerito on a ceatly 
throne, and all eyes were directed In enthuslMtic admiration towards her and 
thefoir ^neea ef iHtif tourney. At their fHd the trophlw wen were kUd-the 



TOB EOBBBR'fr jrOUNPLlNGk 269 

wMiiidMB&id. AbtJirokai ■innni tlMdlMDiiifitfldkBicki«hKMiriiiAftMiMiMr« 
j rw i| p < A«M»d p t ttot fcoa >lidr liji^ miA f»f»tdi thgp kft thc« mttm mth t t A 

.ttrEfWrlds Govny wm vKnuiMai » Uig» wUlt w«i-lM>rM» thai MiglMd 
vidpawwl tlMgrMmd ai proud of kit faUant Iwrtbany and witboitt a aaddte* 
iraUy «iact» saatad oaty OP a rich Middle aloUip anliialj covaiad ikUb flowais or 
fatd^mbaoidriad ovar It I the loilag waa of Maylat. 

JUofd B%paMNid.was aapei bij aioiuitad on a beantifBl aheawt clnffgw» tiho 
•rawed impnnkuu (or the sporty and hii bearing was do lata aoUa than that of 
SirEfbert* 

- The totand acooDd daja of the tovraaaMnl pa wed off gattaatly> aad Lord 
Haf moad and Sir Egbert, either bf eonrteai or real superierltgr of ability^ tar* 
poMed their fdlowSf and at leagth thegr raaialaed the andiipotcd heroes of the 

The third di^ daward fhnn the Heaveasy and a lotdy oae It iras, the brifht 
sua slklniag In all his. goldeo ^oryt the sky onofaeiiuered by a siogJe eload; 
the air fresh and balmy, aad all aronnd leemlng to be Inspired with the aaiet 
aahaiiaded happincH. The assemblage of the knights was e?eo greater than 
it had been on the two pre?ious days, aad eveiyibing pronused a gaMaat daji'e 
tporW 

It commeooed, and as they had done before. Lord Raymond and Sir Egbert 
eame off viotorions In every cootesu At lepgtb, after there had been a paaae of 
some minntes, the former once more threw his gauatlet down« and the hfoahla 
aonnded a load Mast apoo their trampetsi-Hk seeoad Uast ; bai slill no ooe 
appeared to aooept of the challenge,— bat soaioely had the thini tirrapsi the 
hraaea throats of the herakU' trampeto, when, from aaUdst the noble best assem* 
bled, there Issaed a warrior, clad in giltterlag steel, nod OKWatcd an a tw d 
Uaefc ateed,jMd ridiag fiercely lato the ring, he accepted the chalknge. 

There was a mormur of adsiiration run throogh the thrMig, at Hw noble 
appearance of this knigkt, (who bore on his shicUi a baraing heart, with the 
ateHo of «« Faltblbl till death," inscribed in cfaaraoteia of gold apea it,) and 
even Lord Raymond conM not help gating upon him with a .ffseUng of approba* 
tion, not uomlngled with awe. 

Emnestine shaddercd, and as sbe fixed her eyes npon the knigkt of the hom- 
ing heart, whose viaor was down, an indeterlhable ssosatkm came o?er berg- 
she taroed gbastly pale, and seemed as If she was going to taial; bat a few 
words from Lady Margnerlte, whose oaafideaee la the skttl of her noble bsather 
was anshaken, aro aecd bar, and she made a desperate eObn la stiie her real 
Ibcliafs, in which sbe parthOly sacoceded. 

The attack toeinad to promise an easyTklory to Lord Raymond, for his nn- 
kaown adtenaiy appeared to be governed hy nost inforiate n^e^ while he, ea 
tbo eoalrary, waacool, eoUeeted, mid most ivtrepkl. A short tlnm, however, 
soon allsred that opinion; the lances of the eombaianU met eaeh other with 
lerrifie vAoUnee, and the Imigbt of the bmrnlag heart nnhorsed i.ard Ri^mond 
who fen to the earth with a fearfm crash, ml which tbo ahonts of the host aronnd 
raat4heak* 

The flotoiioas kalgkt immediately aUght^d from hIsstjMd, aodappreacMBg 



264 HNNBSTINX DB LACT 1 OB, 

Ibt pnflnta Hd alMMl twwnilUc Lord (Uipwad, ud IMuIeg At Muf fPM Ma 
AoaUfnUhkbllMfatrlMiitacirBraMMlDBhadplucd Unm, h»«UqMad <■ 
1,1a nr :- 

" R^moiMl M. AaiKtpb, n ilwU mti iptB, Im H muu be Is Moml ca*> 
tm\" 

Ha lbt« naiiilr nugottd hli diirger, wd rMta) 
tbe L«dy UwgwritB, b«c nolher, ud oar berolM, I 
be RCiiMd ^* piMlM* gift, and taralDf bulUT t 
avnlrherhMd, pTMMd It vAtmiMtyw Ui Upf, 
foUoned bj bit aqnlre, be (alloped awiiri wlih iba 
iMt ot ii§lit befcca aor of dM bekoMcn btd tacowci 
■aot laM wUefe Ifaa «bol« dmtmiMMe hM) Kirowii i 

Sevml ptiwu iiDdicdIaiclj flew to ibc uibtancc i 
•0 Diub tUBBcd bf the ilobnn of ifae Gill ba I 
MMbte !• niH UtiwU from tht nfOund. Mc wM ta 
Md tka ipMlt ibraptlT lerBlBMcd. Hti ititer and 
bedrid«, and adHhilMCTlDi to hh haiti t b«t gnat « 
laBuadi Ui laanlal «*a« macta greater, U tbe tho* 
■tiOTld bBTC bccD b; RU iDkiown kaight. 

liiiDa*da« «u grcailr iroaUed In ber mlad M I 
■o«ctblng to tha porial beailog of dii) lotgbt o( 
wIIInwI be)B| rills to ■cmbM tor l>, fliled btr boaoi 
M «wa ud adtnlnllon. Sba kaicd lo know wbo 
to be *o chaoee of ber with crtr being giaiificd, i 
AeldM. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

" Oh, eoold I bat forget bow (alt tbr wh. 
What nwa oi lo*a iba pledged with mlac. 
The* nigbi nj batted for tbcfeeetMel 
Bat M> I— Love laj* )l ihaU iwt be, 
Andoae nrbeihofunutt diel"— Tmi Avimobi. 

8«MB wetlu nftir ibe uafritge of Sit Egbert dc Courcr and Lad; HatgoeHie 
k^ elaMed, ard Lord Rajmond bad perfretiT recaieird, bat allll ba oonld not 
fcrget the drcaautaDee of hit aucoanlcr wllb tbe knight of ibe bleeding beut, 
and tbe more be rtScaed oa It, llie more did bli Indigotiion iwriaie. 

" He l<dd me we ibould meet iplo," be wllloqaiied, " and tbat the ConbU- 
■Bit Ibea be mortal i from ifant, It appeari aiidint be it mj eoamj, B«t kl. 
fcttnac once more throw bim Id nj «>;• ''^ *" ' "'•b t ' <*ill tbe& know 9k4 
ba li, and amplf BTerfe mrielf far tbe defeat w bich I auflered." 

II wai a few rreningi after thia, that Lord Rajoaad wu relnrnlng tbepegk 
Ibc wood, lowardt Ibe rattle, wbca euddeulj emarglni bom NBcotiia «oat 



THE BOBBRB'i FOUNDLIffO.- 



deep » tangled m*i«s, be beard ibe toaod of borw'i boofi approicbiDi^'uMl 
b« bad onlj dine lo drt'* hd ililtedai hleblnn, wbra a wirrtor mounied upon 
k DOUe (teed galloped np to bin, tad b/ the light of the mcxii, be beheld the 
Knigfat at tbe Bamlug Heart. 

" Ah I bf the maiw, well met 1° cried Lord Rayiuond, " tbti ii a drcnmituica 
1 have btng bean anxlon*!} wltblof for. Tb; Dane, Sir Kntght ?" 

" CoDqner me, and know It," rejilled the laller, drawing hli iwor^ ;— " Era- 
Beaflne or death I" 

" EniiwitfDe or dealfa I" relteraud Lord lUymoDd Id rurinui tone*, and their 
(leedi oeighed and iDorted, aUmed at the lound or tbeir irrrible and eo- 
nged Tolcei. There waa not another mameDl'i delay, bat the; both nuhed 
(brlouilj to'lbe ilrlfe, and moit Feariur, indeed, wai Ibrlr firit ooKt, bgl 
4tMl*ed b; Ibe nncrrlBtn llgbt of tbe moon, ttaej pawed bf each other lereral 
tinci wllboal a blow taking iffect. ThI* added more M their lage, bat It wa* 
an ueleH ) In n)n they cot iDd tbrail, parried and paued ( thetr bonei, 
alanued U tbdr own khadowa flitHni before then, itaned and trembled, thui 
haalbiag tbdr riden' itrnkca. Fraltleailf ther ipent tbelr itrengtb, till com- 
fttMj worn ant, they both deeUied, and gaied iteralj apon Mch other for a 
inr aeend* In alienee. 

"Tbeeonbat lanaekat to-iilfbt,*'Btlaateselatnied theKiilghlof tbe Burning 
Heart t— " bat witt than neM me at the firkt itrcak of da; ?" 

•• I wOL" 



BBfCNsmfTB Mb act; im, 

'* Tki«iiiorrow«M>rnteg t* 

'« Bat tboa wUt not fky He lyw r* 

««By HiehMMr^f a ••• loKfcli I «(rtU Mt»** «n« Hm anti 

•'IivlUtidMihyward. I«ImiH«om«I«m.*' 

^ I wHl ftho be vnttftenML'* 

«< *ns weB/* i«t«ned Loii lUifaMd ; *<by tbeimbliMliol* 

^'InnortilMvbMt'* 

<« For Enmcttlae or dnA !" 

<*f^ BiMcttfm ordndir* fctpoadcd Lort B a y w— 4, md 
anee to Ibfieivorda, the Knlglit of the Boraivf Httft cUpfioi Mr sport taio 
ilielfaink§ofkiii»f comofyMMl plonged lato Um deepott neaift «f Hio tM«d, 
diiopffoartif i h liirt Iw Mii Ul i ty, »d totvtng Lord B^FOioad to lOODVtr ftM Uo 
utoniihmeBtiaBiloracioooMtffttpttollM CoiUoof8c»A J oo l |di. - ^r 

At lie iMrHid oo, hio aiisd bemow eMfarely occopkd lo tiiMliog vpoftl Ae 
smgnlorlty of Hm idifiliotty Mid <be nyttoflooi bobatlotr of tke Ko1gMi«>f 
tlw Burolng Hoart. Whocottld he boyoiid wftol aiotlfnoMdd galdoJriatiB- 
doei? He hod ebewn hloMelf co be hie aoet fanieieme loey and fok i«pi 
lUyiDOed racked hie btala In vain to eadeasoiit la laMgloo to iPlMA.ho CMkl 
poiObly hate gl««tt each eaoee inrhatfed. AddiA to ihe nyMty al iho Vhlto 
Kuigbt, and the grey frtar> it was a circamiunce nrhSdk entirely bewildered OAd 
•dietraeiedhtibraiBi and he felt as if he was the fictia of s^om iaiemai apell. 

«« Yfat,** ha soUloqaiaed, as he proceeded, ** why should I thas »eet la deadly 
eottbat a laan who professes himself to be mine enemytand yel Is afraid tixrevoal 
himself? He has pledged his honoor not to act with tieachery iMEatdsjnei^ 
yet what depeadaoee ooght I to |dace in the promise of a aun whom 1 JuMV 9^» 
and who has chosen «d act with eo much mystery?^! will aMet him In Ihe 
mormlog, hot I will not go ansttended, ao that I os^ be prepared for any daifor 
widch may threaten me.«-And yet,— wonld not that appear like cowardUw^r* 
Woay he not think I fNtfed him ? He woald, and 1 wiU« thoefoK, mce| him 
alooex and brave the coase%neBocs.*' 

By the thne he had oome to this detevminatkin, he had anit edat the«M4lt« 

TheofOBtat thotoumament had eaosedthe greatest uneasintas and escitia- 
flacm in the breasts of Lad|y CelestiDe, Maignerite, and our herower bat.«Mre 
particalarly the latter, and the defeat which Lord Baymond had eape ri eneod 
from the Kaight of the Bntniag Heart, had cauaed mach apecidatiao i& fhair 
mtndi, iMt they were quHe nnahle to iormeven the aUghteat eaajeefcaaaaa*^ 
whotboyoangattaafor was. Lord RaynMmd» fearfbi leat haadghi if aaaa ihrart 
any alarm, bad forborne to aaealmlhoivonda whkh the vakaamiateighitlaid 
mede use of towards him, after he had unhorsed him hi the maODerfWO ^aea 
difserlbed; Y-n\r mi miahloln nsmral fmm tham ihai^tnalea amiaiiBMrh 
be lahovred, whk^» hi»wever, apye and to them to. bamaah anireivMaaftllmm 
that wtdeh woald he oooathmcd by the ohagrio which maat bo oo«aaiiacnt«pDn 
his defeat. Brnnestine had marked the peculiar deoManonr of the yoang 
knight, for such he appeared to be, as far as coaidheJadgeAby^jpeiim, 



tiifouglmit tbe wliote etevt, boiKort •tpcdallyoD bit i iiijiiiiifc th» i>tif»in« 
tcribcd with her tame, the Tcfaemence of bit maonefv u be pimied bcr baad 
tD bit iipSf Mid tb« MmatiuB wbidi b«d a«|^tov«rb«rattbat moncBtv tbt bad 
sp r c t been enebled to baakb fnm ber boioi»mee» Ite fatUna «i^ whkb 
ibewiiiiiibaed««iA«tatw»ef«Me» wjetMy* -wnI ylaaHue i «9djbf «e«bl 
BolbetpfeeUBf AdfetdjeteaaimkiylabebeldbMiagMu fibeliad liretiqeatly 
neoliooedittoLofd Rajmoody bnl be was evidentljrJHiid^iiia te evadalbeMHecty 
aadf eU bne i b bk oeidoefc eyptartd etimge aad fcaeap lk ab to to bei^aaebeeaw 
tbet U ciMiaed bin to Hmcb eaeaaineMs tbe did not preas ii» aotnilbitaadftBg, 
ahe bad a prcaaotlmeBa ibat it ipoold be tbe toenmeer ef eeme palafiil^ewrBta 
tolbeau 

r ilipaai ibaajm bad ato baimted ber fUkw lince tbe d»y of rbt >o<nia«Mmf| 
•Dd Hie ecwK bad been aeverai tiaMs le-enaoted in ber iaagiaatioa. Jn iw%» 
ftMw that d»]^ tbe fliyatorieaa Kai|bl eltke BarniBf Heart, bad been ewr ffeient 
id lartbeaabfla,«ittlabe in vain endeafooeed to eonocire mhjf ht skmid baive 

* <Th« y w lMg i d ahaanea ef Ltrd Bny wn d kom tbe fasUc» en tbe evening 
irbes Ik eno on nt e ied the Rnlgbt of the Bandag Heart* and wiilcb wa bam 
)MI been deacdbing, bad eaaaed aineb naeatiaen to tbe three ballea^ and learlia 
j ai i iB UW nceident ndgha hnve beiallen hfany they li i an a trh ed aeoapienfdonei* 
lien in* q«at of hiai» bnt they, bariof taken a diffnent miate to tbai.irMdi 
bnindfnmedenbif wnybnam^ttiiaDdbifl^anddid nol^Mnim ftreomn tiaie 
allfr belMid reaehed tbe cattkb 

AMbongb be tiM aU ilMl ivae in Ue iwiver to difgaiie tbe neiieniea^ nbleh 
tbettomhat he bad bad with the noknown kosgbt, and tbe appeintaKniibarbad 
ttMrbi tbenmrningbnd canard, biinneaa bn ai eonidnol eiwp e <tbabi 
'bif •S'**? Widthej trenU baire qamtianed biaa npentlM anldM^^tnj 

aatlpu, be gndoaUtr beeanM aMtn nrmipiiiad, and by tbn ibne ibn jhanrihad 
m ti hm A for tbem to retbe to their chambera, be was mneb more iCeitotled 
than nrifbi beat been antidpnttd. fcrt liibanih be ■p|iMitdrao» hn<naa leiyfor 
ftoBi ei pei l en cing a oaaipoted state of Bind, for be ana Mill rnthenkaaanllMa 
henril nPOnUheadriidUelor bin to net, and anbetber be ibenbiantoaiiyiBecp 
hie nppeialatont with the Kotght ef tbn flowing Heart, nnnrtwiiiad, after nrhal 
be bad said abent bit being bis mortai foe, aitbangb be eeatd apt noneiire why 
bnabenldbeao,or wbobeadnnUy wnsk Heknew.not bat timt be ndjblaaaan 
trcaebery, and lie was nH>re tlian onoe baif inclined to Itateiwo or «bMe of bia 
Niabiein secaieed near tbe apot whept the iiestik aaeating waato t^eptoer, to 
rasb oot toiiis assistanee, shonld be need it) hat then again the idcn«l ,«bewing 
tiM isnai ejMptoaM of foar^ pronsptod hbn te abandon «acba|>rnN^ Mdibe 
finally deicnninetf, at ail baaaada, to go aienob 

'< Yes,*' be said, <M wiU dare ererytbing ; there wm soaMtMng in tbe manner 
of tbe mdioown knight, and.tbetoMin whieh be apohe, which IndnseanMio 
bdieve that beis an bononrable foe, and wonU scorn to take any onaMnif «knn- 
lagei I ■wtHsaeeUHn^awdany ilB ai i*n preesfltnie,iasiflnnlybelieiam»caase 
tohejnst. This event may be the menas of eloeidating all tbe nunp niystiiies 
by which I have for seme time beea tormented aad bewildered. ' Sannestiae or 



Hea BmuMMniiK BB tunm ; os^ 



i 

opoD tbe combftt which ww to take |daoc io the mornitig/aiHl nMoh^MArfbCf 
MHjIqi M htd' Jdi^dy txpmimmA of hii wolaMHrii ail«eMinr^fe-iiMt<'Ad 
liiowetty ^Mvioced hiai.wfnld be « ^e ap e m e^oie, to lufier hl«i toeBQi<>4« 
drowty § od ; and teg Morcthe grey iiitti hod diMppearedftwa'thefaoiIMB^ 
ho WM op, and hatktg bochM oo hif anooot^he Mdo eootio wly i>i >i .lli# 
oaptlfy fteifol of heiog seea by any of the iooMtet, aod hayhi g a o »wid*iii 
fiMbui^to tteod, rode off hi 4ho*dir«ofioD of the place whtie 'ho aod tiw 
Koifbt of the Baraing Heart bad eDcouatered each other on the eveaUg b i fm» 
His fleet coarser ioon bore him thither, b«* ho found that the hfiight badaotfci 
arrked. ■ . . , i . » . —.- a 

He diflOMuoted from hb hortOtand leadiog bin to the thioket» he thdfo dfdiv* 
mined to re main aod watch » wbkh be couid do without boiaig<abiOl»ed bifiPrHi 
and if be saw aoythlog whidi might lead him to soppose that. the lnigiitmwiif 
to play bim fidsely, he might easily depart again unseen » and thoa fmslrate hia 
designs. 

He bad not stood there long, when be beard the soond of horses' hoofii opoa 
the toff, aod immediately afterwards, as well as the ubscnre light would perm}! 
ftim,1ie saw tlie Knight of the Borotng Heart* gallop up to the spot akme. He 
was armed in the same manner as he bad hronon the two former oceasloBa 
wben they had met, and was encased in the same glittering aoit of mail> wllk 
his Tltor down, so that Lord Raymond had no more chance than before of 
Mdn^ Ml feaMMs* 

The knight looked aroand him, and' seemed disappointed at not seeing Lord 
RaioMnd, m«tt«ing some Ineohoreot a enten o e s to himaelf ; hot hit lordship 
hariog salkfied^blaBtett ihat he wae nOKoompanied by any one, did not kee^ Mm 
Ibag hi aospenaei hm adfaneing kom the fdaoe whose ho had been standing, he 
greeted Unm * 

<< Ah roxdalmed the Knight of the BnfBfasgile«t»<**d« well t yoahavevo^ 
then, broken your word.*' 

«< Lord Raymoad St. Aswolph nover doea break his! word, Sir Knight }'* ro* 
Uriled Raymond, hanghtily. *' Bat art thou still resolved not to lei me'knoit 
with whom it is I am aboat to oenlend?" 

" 1 am ;" answered the Knight of the Bnming Heart } *< asl before toM tbfo» 
defekt me and know." 

" Titoo art a man of mystery,*' observed Lord Raymondy ** and I know noc 
bow I can be thine enemy." 

** Thou wilt have the mystery solved ere long, mayhap," retomed the Knight 
of the Bnming Heart ; ** thou lovest the fair Bronestine ?" 

^Ido» 

<* Art tlKm wiiing to resign all pretensions to her hand ?" 

"Meter!'' 

** Thy doing so is the only way by which Ibis combat, which most end in the 
death of one or both of wi, can be avoided.** 



ram ncwMia^ vooKTBLifm, 36& 

wh0l«MNillft4evot«d/' 

H JbmMitSM or dntb !" 

'^SfDdctliiieordMth!'' rapnted Lord lUytttai I and han^Brf wottiled Mir 
iMtdty tiief advanced nearer towards each oUMn H wat y«i too 4nk to tea 
aaeb other mfllciatitl j distlact eaoagb to comaieDce the eonbat, aod ikey, there- 
iBre,agfaed to await the first streak of day. By matual consent, tbey stood 
at fift^ paces distant from each other, nor stirred, nor spoke ; tmt laying ttte 
bfftdlka neatly mi the necks of their horses, with Mded anas they watched the 
tasite sky, while the anoontcions beasts calmly partook of such green herbage 
as theapvt on Hrhtcfa they stood affwded. 

At oaa and the same momant thay hailed the dawn, aod gathering np Ihelir 
rilftl^ th^y drew their Sbfaing swords, and otteHng the name of Eninestlae« 
i^ll^he^ift'liiylaasly agafost each other. Bvery moment tha Incraatlog llglii 
IfA^'energ^ to thafr strokes, and the rays of the ridng son added fire to their 
faga: Soon die brittle swords were shivered to atoms i they tben had recenrse 
to their battle-axes. The feathers that waved on the helm of the Knight of 
fte Bamlog Heart were scattered to the winds, and his broken visor fell, hat 
left not his features exposed to view, as they were concealed beneath a black 
mask* 

^ Fired at the stroke, he aimed at Lord Raymond's casque i that, too» fava 
way, and over his brawny shoulders fell the dark locks which bad alwi^a 
keen so much admired by the fkir ssz. His aoble coBBteaanoa shaaa with 
nveafiag Irs ; hh mild eye bora the hue of the basUlsk. 

The sound of aa approaching horseman aow met their aarsf Shagr lookai 
aroandt each at the ssomeat saspacting treachery, h«t thay saw nothhig 14 
tfreagthen that sappositlon. Their esplrlag Tig oar was ranawad by tti* litUa 
•xcltesseat. Selalag their lances, they first retreated some paces distant fi^ss 
anch other, then, whlrUng their hones roand, they advanced hapatnonsly for- 
ward. Useless was the scaly steel mesnt to protect the biitasts of their noble 
•laedsi sach was the force with which they threw their deadly weapons, that 
at one nad tha ssme sMment, each animal received the point ef a lance ^n 
his breast. Shrleklag with agony, the horses fill to the earth, aad their riders 
rollad on aaeb other. Disarmed of sword, battle-axe, and lance, nothing !«• 
■mined hat the dagger i panting and bruised, they still sought to continue the 
eontest, and wrestled oa the ground. 

The scarf, with the name of Branestlae embroidered In gold, which meted 
on the heart of the unknown knight, attracted the eye of Lord Rajsseod ; 
be aztandod Us left hand, with the Intention of seining the eaviod priae^-»in 
his right he grasped his dagger. The Knight of the Barainf Heart bald oC 
his hand with one of his, nnd with Us dagger threatened vengaanca with the 
other. 

One knee on the ground, aad with uplifted daggers* both straggled aaean. 
quered | hot at leagth. Lord Raymond, by a sudden movemeot, succeeded In 



pttnilfe hit deadly weapon idld tli6 aiifimrdeil boMu of Mi tu fc tk Um' fa#, UWfc 
A Md Tok« ftxMi h«h1iid Mhi ifcmtfed ^^'Hotd f and at tke taitoa ttMiMt he 
waa Miaad bj ' the arm attd dmg^t^ tlolently to tha aarih i %e looted ap^ 
antf io bit aitoDAhniant baliald Iba Wbita ItalfhC ttandiiif by Kb ilda. 

The Kol^t of the Borotof Haart» who had btea paatlof from axbaatttooy 
beheld him at the tame moment, and rblnf f radaally npon hii feet, he stood 
apparently anzioai to hear what the White Koif ht would say, although It w«« 
efident that they kAew each other. ..,..>; 

^'Holdl" repeated the White Knlfht^ in an aotheritati^e tone i^ foioa^r^ 
« ihii combat moat cease.'' Then turninf to the Kj^ghi of |ht 9i|ia|pf lilMfb 
^befuldedf— 

** laataatljr begone, and r oas emb er thy oath. Lord Bfiymaad 8L AmfiA^ It 
fOianred lar ■y fattfe vafoaBCo» and ihom wilt than ba»a an opportaihyntf 
grati^rl^f thy ravonfein«Bncb nu>re amplo ■anaar than hIi datthtenid Aour 
nfbrdlbee. Away.Ieayr 

The Knight of the Bnminf lloart mntterad lonie wofda Aat did not W^ 
0nctly reach the cnn of Lord Raymond, and hatinf dxod upon him a g^bim 
of nK>rtal hatred, ho bowed to the knight, and hnrrying from the spot, wu ioo& 
Iklddan firom die sight. 

The White Kalght did not ipeak nnother word» but wavbg hla hand ip a 
meDaclog manner, he disappeared, leavii^ Lord Raymond aitonlihed and 
pkralysed to the spot. 

' After the lapse of a minute or two. Lord Rajmond parlialty recovered hipif eU 
f^om the confosiou Into which he had been thrown, and then bnr«tiog thrp^h 
\he thicket, he looked eagerly around him to sec whether he could ol^OT^ 
anything of the two mysterious knights, but they had both fanlshed, nnd be 
turned astoolbhed and disappointed to retrace his footsteps to the castle. 

" donfuslon I**— he exclaimed, as he wslked along, *' fiends surely have con- 
spired together to keep me in a continual state of mystery and excitement. Who 
can these slnguUu' beings be ?— My bitter enemies they certainly are, but why 
they U'C, or what cause I have given them to be so, I am at a loss to imagino 
I most, and will adopt some means to discover them, and to guard myself againal 
(be evil designs they have evidently In contemplation against me." 

He walked slowly on towards the castle, for be was completely worn out 
with Ike fotlgue be had nndergooe In the combat, although neither himself nor 
bis antagonist bad received a wound, and the state of his mind nmy very well t>€ 
imagined. Fearful, however, of causiag any alann In the boeoms of bis friends, 
fae was anixioas to coocesl bis emotion from observation, and, Ihercfbie, before 
be arrived at the caatle, be tiled all he cookl to put on no air of composure im 
which he was more snccemfnl than might have been czpeoled after the event 
which we have been describing. It was now very evident that the White Kal^l, 
the Knlgbt of the Burning Heart, and the female form which had created ao 
much alarm In the neighbourhood of the ruins of the former retregt of tbe 
robbers, were all connected together, and that they had some nefarious diralgn 



THS ftOBMR'ft VOUNPfclKMb 221 



iliOMl kte« ivkich jMim Iwitt thift .w<MdA al «Qn0 foiiiK pciM Mieewd lo 
<<totiiig» )Hiftdi4 not CMtriff mtm igiiwdian ail raady BiaMi of qM H i tcr tri* 
Ibf Iheir pUat } ind be raiobad to teat paoM* flooiiaiiUiy oa Ike look uio. i^ 
swpd«e UiMB, and once In hU power Ihe njnterf wooldal last be eleckteied^ 
the cbaiacters of Ibe partiei made koewat aod all fitfiber danger from ibcm be 
dceUojed* 

He had never been able to baolth from bii tbougbts for any kngtb of time, the 
remarkable bebavloar of tbe mjttefleoi womaa^ aad tbe fan^cwkm wblcb tbe 
IkmalUrity of ber featoree bad made apoo bim. Altboogb ibe glance be bad aa 
tbem wu only tramknty It waa long enoogb to eoabte bIm to take n mlnole 
snnrejr of tbenf , and be conld not again gat tbem from bla tboogbta. llie natnro 
tiC 1^ inHnMan wbkfa tbey gave riie to la bit boaon^ ennaed bim tbe nmtt 
poifoant aafnlab, but tbe real natnra of bit tbengbu wiU be dl adee ed at a 
fetnre perfod. One tMng, howeftr, be at latl determined o% and that inm to 
Taakngjtlfgbarl ae<oiiBted wkb tbe dremnataaoa, and wMiainflelentmimber 
of Mto w e i a to m^ko an entrance into the rnlni, and aeo wbetber tboj conld mK 
dlflooter tbe penon, or penona, wbo adgbt be tbere concenlod. Hengvettad 
tl^ bebnd notdooe tbia belaieyaa, fromtbetect tbntibn noieeatotboMtna 
bad been dliconilnnad» Ibere ima vmj good reaeon to attppoec tbnt tbof bad been 
nbandonnda and If aucb wna tbe caae« be bad In ail paobabUUy, mbaed an oppfv- 
tunity wbicb mlgbt nerer occnr to bim agaio, of nnravelllng tbe a^ttci j, wMcb 
waa to bIm tbe loarco of ao nKicb annctyaace and alarm. 

It wai yet to early in tbe mcmlng, tbal It wa» not likely tbnt aay of tbe Inmatea 
of tbe cattle woold bare arlten^ and, tbcrefore, It would not be known that be 
bad been away, altboogb be bad noticed wltb tome nneasioeta, tbat, in tpite of all 
bit endearoort to prereat It, tbe agitation of hit manner on tbe pieriook ereniog 
after bit enconnter with tbe Knight of tbe BnrAlog Heart, bad not eaeaped tbe 
obtervation of bit firiendt, notwltbtiapding tbey bad not mentioned aoything to 
him* 

Harlng reached tbe cattle, where be found that tbe iamaiet were ttlU at rent, 
be qdchly dItaraMd blmae If, and pat aaide hit heavy mail, and appeared in hit 
ordinary drett, and by the time that tbe atoming repatt wat ready, he had tndl* 
ciently recovered bimaelf to appear at the table wltb every tign of compoture. 

At toon at tlie meal wat over, the ladiet having loft tbe room. Lord Raymond 
ImaMdlately made Sir Bgbeit de Cour cy acqaaioted with all tbe partlcnian of 
bit recent adventoret, at we ba^e lietailcd tbem, and atked bit advice upon tbem, 
and tbe latentlOD be had (brmod regarding tbe searcbiag of tbe mint of the cattle 
of St. Alwya. Sir fig bert wnt vary much aaioiiitkcd at the account which Lord 
Baymond gate him, and remained silent for a nunnent or two after wardt, reflect- 
ing upon it. 

" i regret that yon did not make me your conident la tbit affair with the 
mytteriont Koight of tbe Bemlug Htart,^ taid Sir Egbert ; ** for I might have 
togge^ted tome meant of tnrprlting bim, aad getting bim in onr power, and 
then nil which we are ani^ont to know, would mott lilKly have been oorarelled, 
and the whole of the peraoot by whom you have been to much annoyed, dif 
covnrvd, and the fehemet tbey bare evidently, and by their own admitslooy 
in cunumpiation agalntt yoe, fruttrated." 



• » 



w 



k' 



272 ERNNB9TINB DB I.ACT} OR, 

' *<It wmy Mtydbe loo tatt,** nM Lord Rofwmd ;— << It It ay lolettlim to 
liovo pofioo* cootioiraUf 00 tbo Idok oot« to thot one or oilMr of tbo forty auiy 
be eorprited, ind tboi bting aboot the reeolt w6 desire.'* ** 

** Bot OB etccUeot opporloelty bee bedo kMl,** returned Sir Egbert, << aod yoa 
•eM wf^ great inprodeoeie lo ocoeptiog of the appoiotmeDt of the Koigbl of tbo' 
Bomlog Hearty who might have meant treacfaerj , and yonr life hare been plA|M 
at hit merey." - ^ 

<* Bat the maooer lo wMeb ho behared, thewed that toch wat ool hit detlffn,'* 
Mdd lionl Raymonds '< la troth he It a brate leUow, wboefOr he la, aadit HOI 
takoa ttroof aod tkilfttlarai todofctehim. Bot what tayett tboo to my poo- 
poatelon retpeotlog thit myattrbot woman ?** 

' c^Ttay ocoooot of thai oreot torprltet me oMvo thaa aU,** repBedBlr Egbert; 
<«bot art thao tore thoo werl not deoelftd ?— And that II wat really hot B 
topomalaral being ?** 

«• PoaltNo of It," Implied Ufd Raymond; «<howooohllbe mlMOireii, Hili ' 
her hood gratped my arm» and the gated ttoodfctHy In my face ?" ^ 

M And4heieatorot, thoo tayeil, teemed teatUlar 10 thee?** taU Sir Egbert. 

«< Oh, yet, thoy wore Indeed!" retoioed St. Atwolph ;— <« they reminded lih 
of 000, w h o bat I cannot trott oiytolf to tpeak npoo that tabject now. At wtf 
lole, I om determined to be taMtfied opoo ihit ambigoout affair, and^of oooil^ 
Sir Egbert, I Btay ealoalato open thy aht." 

«• Certaloly," antwered the latter, <« but I am fearfal that it will not be at^ 
leoded with aoy tatiaAiclory retolt ; at,' from the diteontinnaooe of the noltet In 
the roint, it appeam that the pertoot, whoever they might be that retided there,' 
have qaltted the place." 

•Uoonirm," taU Lord Raymood, *<thal I am partly incHned to be of the 
taoM opinion $ ttiU, it will be more taHtlhoiory to me to atoertalo the troth, and 
If there It no one tecroled there, I propote that the mint be rated to the groood, 
to put a ttop to any fatore annoyance, and to do away with the taperttitioot Itr- 
rort of the pertoot retldiog lo tho loeaiity." 

<M agree with thee on thai polot, Lord Raymood," obaerved Sir Bg^ert; '^bol 
when thaU we pit onr detiga Intoexecotloo ?" 

<* The toooer the better. It it ntelett to delay s**' replidd St. Atwolph. 

** To-morrow morning, then." 

<< Ay ; at toon at dayight peept, wo will away together, aod take wBh «t • 
choten few. In cato of danger." 

Thit point arranged and teltled, the two frlendt teparatod, and Lord R aym ond 
hariug tufllciently revolved all the circnrnttancet that had happened In hit mind, 
becaato more compoted, and began to think that they would termiaala mora 
aa^tattorily than be bad at Artt anticipated. The being who principally occnplod 
hit tlioughtt wu the mytteriout woama, whote remarkable likenem 10 000 wHh 
whom wat connected tome of the bm>bI painful drcumtlancet of hit Hie ; aod 
the reflocHont they oaturaliy gave rite to were fraogbt with the BMtt poignant 
anguMi. Bnt should they discover her In the mint, and tim thoold prove to be 
Hio party be thought upon, what a wonderful rcvdotioo it woold work in hit 
1^, and the teerec which ho had to loog kept k>cked withio hit own brroat 
wookt be divulged. But no, it could not be, he i^ain roatUaatcd i that bcinf, ho 



THB ROBBRB'S rOCNDblKS. '27^ 



kid mj- IWle donU, hid tosg Otpt wUhhi the lUeot gnrn; ir,abe had cot, > 
MM tot M ill arilkclf tbu ill wooM have kvni uDtwdled, ud erarvtblns 
•iraoieri long bafOre. 

Tlrtd wilh rtkctiof, Lord RarmoDd Joined Ac ladin, ud, brdDt^ofgrat 
«aenlOD, ba ippcMtd nora ch«eiM tbu ha had bee* for ■ daj or two befcire.:%| 

ta Ibe monilDg, belM« dijl^t, IjOfd Rajmoad aiid Sir Efbert left the caHle, 
atUwM b<r mtnl of tbdr ictalnen, Uhlag whb them implemeoti to bttter 
1b «bt impcdimcDti tiiat might preteni diemidrai to IbetrliMrdi; kod Ukla; 
tk*w«Ti>Uebw»(he taMI rreqaeoted, ther were ool long Id mcUng the tqIoi. 
Tbar fatiDd ererrthlng, in tppeanece, m tber bad gem tl on didr former niit j 
ae drawbildgi wu doira, aod, ttenlbre, the; cntKd tbe moit, and entered at 
Iko portal, the door of vUcb wm itadlog vide opeo, witbogi ao* (^traction. 
AHwuttlrot, mrelbewhlMlDrofthefcnd, orthsfltpphig of the wiop of the 
bali that were dlatorbcd bf their entrance, and fluttered wUdlj above their 
haadi. SNll Lord Rl^mond conid net help feeling a Bcntallan approacblng to 
dmtd, ai he entered that gloomy place, and he lonked aniaad him ereraid 
•DOD, expecti»g, Tct fearing tn behold once more (hat form which had crtated 
M oneh ancMlneu In bl« boiom. But no inch ohjetl wai deitined 1o meet hit 
guc; terewii not a ilogle pordon oflt>erala« which' wu not mbal minutely 
eaamlBed, wltbont anyttaini bring diaeofcred, atid oothin; which leemed to' 
denote Ihai an* penon had lababllrd than For some lime: and, afcer haiing 
aMlifiedtbeiBielrrslhaltheyhadnatai<tMdaBT part In tfaeir .search, Ihcrqultred 
the roinj, and hiring dlimltied the'r aleadinta, left (he plwe, aad walked 
ilowlr on toward) the caacia, conTerllig npon the nbjeot, and Lord Rajmiud 

No.» 



beiog ia much Mlar 




CHAPTER XXVL 



«< Xbe Wide vw Mr M ,r«-.^ «i7» 
AirfMiUeivwihekriclbt; 
A»4 aMjr were Um pr^en tkttt >f 




i*i 



for Uie antai of our keroioe and L*rd Rajaesd fli. A«M%kf 
Mft iw i t o> ch ii,iie«*«doffi n iB ce ti iitti ii Mr frcMlf iiiMiiii i wiifc»< 

fioiidektd atwlMD it it re«cmbered thai on that day It had Wen proaiacdaka* 
10 aiaay myateiioai cJrcaaiitancei iliauld he elnridaied. The iecrec of iMr<aaifife» 
aodvhoMRlMr pawti, it ted heoa Mated ihoaU befcvealedi andft waa, 
tlMreioie» anlj ratiawahlr that she should loolc forward loMHh ad^ 



at he wai to heooow aaitad to thatheaw^ 
whihidtatw>aaliBBfoii>iaiinBo<hkJwaf^ooaidjiatatligicihel|ilsdh^ 

•to hteaa difaoMl Homi hy the Qnjf Friar, the While Itoigfat, aod «lherH ^9^ 
be eadeafOMfod aU be foaki to okake «ir tbaae 4koMa idea*, aod to laafti 
to tbe«aipteiMM«Miilo«iraB Ihe oeiaaifi PMiwaiaiatiuiiof lue ove^i 
keppkiees. That WM a task of ao eatf annewpHiha»aiitj aad, ki aytto of all 
hii cfcats ki tke «ldat of his g sa at ast ba^pMoss^ the same aMHaachoiy ideaa 
woold ahiwi de the w aatwes, and moder ftm adeerahk. For tlie iast two or tbae 
lasathii kawoperi I^ord HayaMod kad not bmi with aoy adwantare wkkk «aa 
nalnaWand la causa biai «oy aaeaakieiy^ and ootkiaa aMro kad been eeen of ike 
a npst eii oiis hdags who luMi so drofaeiitly croned Iris i^ith, and filled faun with 
aaaleti aod neKBleaitv* 

The preiisnitioas that woce makkig for the nininis, aad which wcinnai 
jBOoced aoflie weeks hefere the d^r appointed for the oalao, were even npoii m 
a»ore exSeoiive scak than those that had been §ot op oo the occasion stf tke 
noKriage of the tady yarfnerite aod Sk- fighert de Coarcy, aad it was expooaad 
tfant the ooaipaiv wooid consist of att tiic fpriadpal «if tke nobility and cestry* 
who wew iavtied to do honour to tkeiorely hriie«nd her nofak hiidegtpasn. 

Tiie iMter^areots of oar beiiDioe« poor old Hobert Oeasham aad Mand, 



HUB bobbbe's vavinNyniB* tys 

li^fttJBBttrtMtoftaitkatfaiieapii wur li rij ifctifMMitl l h d rj w^ fi f» tasoi 

htX thflfe were tiintt wlMa to thfclprnMritw— pot OBMOOMpMitoA-wllil tiM 
poifBMt iiediiigs of sorrow, when tbey EcAocted om tlio &lt of Q od to t j i, wIm 
woaklotiicrwiie have stood m ftlie litoodoa of his kirdslu|w 

At length the day, so *'big with fiite," airivtdt tho day on whfeh so maay 
woad erfu l xevdatioBs were to be nuide, awi which was samakeaach anaarfc- 
able and aaexpecced change in the diciunitapces of BM^of Ihaadan ia thb 
mmiatlf **Tmiiyti 

We wUl not oecupy our space by giving a detailed aocaast of the wagaiiffsal 
and cxtsnaive preparatioBs iktA iNd been made for the rrimmnj, for avea the 
nosl eiabonoe description conld not do justice to thenn aaAiasa^aatioii nan bal 
lataitiy picture them. Yet, notwitiutaadingte aeas ^k|f«sch oi thai wmmmtt 
which would make her the bride ot a nnhirwaa whaea nawsf nus drtaas bad st 
cited her warmest affecdoos, Em ne s t hi a caaid uofc hei» i t tf ng a walaaihnlg pta* 
seBthuent of temethlag wloeh was ahoal ti> taka phMa la assf theif iMppbess, 
in which faeBpg Ltd Raymoad evidential t biscA BaabaeBdeaaaaesd byevaEf 
Buans ia his power to banish ihadouliisaBd spffshaasiana faQthisMhsd,aad 
aNfevdieerfid andbappy, in which he s nc ee edeA ■sKkhaHerlhaft iMhad at 




Mass bsaotaoask althou^ pale, did our liesofaM appeal^ an* I 
aatiau sIm efltiHedaawag tiM persona pscseai; cvaip owa •! 
their laohs the adadrailon which they lidt for htr^aad how heartl^ and siMaaalty 
Ihay wished her eveiy hsppiaees> 

▲lltha Uad irieads of Braasstiaa, were pr« 
■Ola iittia deHgfaled oa the oceasion; jet he waa not 
■Uiglfinpf tiMt tlieir jey was ahool to suBsr 
aipaaiyiy when ha r aeai l acled tiM w os<s of the 
thappsailssthaiha had made,thaboatha dqr«f i^Mfiiilso' Lm* 
asid Branestiae, the sacial of the iailar's aiigb^ aad avary 
Mded with bar, shaiyd ha dltilged ^ and 1h amted ha thar 
tha ealaasBiaalloa of Hm caiaaiaay. 

At hMt the particular nMNaeal arrifed ! The Ib iB u red guasla Mlad thegolhk 
chapel ; Lord Ba yui ea d and our iMtoine baela bsfsaa tiM allar;i aai 
Waad, B aaniph , and Bdhb, with the aMMher of Loed Ra p ^a a d , ihr 
aad Lady Macgaerite, stood afoaad thaaa, aud the 
was as sdU as death iu tlie diapel on thatoocaslaa» tha aallsr 
ware tha sslsain tones of tlie ptleet» and tha nspoasie of 




Tha eercflseny was over, Bmaestine had baeoase tha bride af Lord B ay sa d 
ai. Aavolph, and their friends were about to cangratataie^heBi ; whsa, snddaalf, 
a loud and thrilHog ezdamation rung through tlie sacred bnildlng» and caasa VOm 
aa electric shoehupeu aUthe paraoas peaaeaty who diractad theb eyea tewtfds 
thalpart of the chapel &om wliencetha sound appaaiad la issue. 

A death-like chill came over the frame of Bmnestine, and she dung fearfaUy 
la JLord Baymond, who was scarcely hi aless stataof trapMaJau than I w wrif 

•* HoM !-Forbear !'' shrieked a female voice, aad the nen m aa n a l> raahiat 



tTft lAKNMTiirs DB L4<nr; OBy 

liiMif ^lie dil» lMrar4t the iMf, wi» 9$tii'u "Wtfnan, >iHio/ fhnttf iik drttt and 
denetDour, Lord Ray noad immedlfttdy rred^^ ;«-4t'wt9 tiM supposed pliMi- 
tMB't^f the 1«M nriBfe of «1ie€MReor8t.'Ahr7ii. Her hair litmr loow and 
dithefcllad about her thouldere, and her face' was i^hasllj pale. Lord Ratnimid 
WeBhltd as she appraadieil, and Bnmesthif, MHiMthstaMdnf her astonUlmieBt 
a»d terror, fcti a aensitSoti of awe atid' reft^ a fte a stealfttg otar hef . 

>Tkmit was hat m tustmoit far iheagbt ;— "the next, tbe idyiteriocM 'woman kBtlt 
«t the feet of liord Rayai^d, and claspiotr his Imeasi looked'fraaticalfy op in Ua 
laoe* The pevsoBs present were thoiiderstniek, bnt not a word was spoken l»y 
any one. Lady Celestioe and her daaghter's astonishaaent aad tospense toay be 
iaagiacd. As to Lotd Ra^aMsd as he fined Ms eyes apoii the cotrnteoanoe •f 
the WMaao, his faee became ghastly pale ; his Hps qahrered, and he appearaA 
Aaad as a muhle stMae with terror and amazement ! 

<^lU^HHHid! RayaaOBd!'* cjacnkted the woman, hi a rotce half stifled with 
mental agony ;-> " dost thoa not know me ?" 

**Grado«s Hearen I" ezelalmed Lord Raymond, In a relce of the most inde« 
scrihable agitation ; ** can this he reality, or are my senses hraiing me ?~M«i^^ 
and Ifvlag !~No— m^I am g^g mad !~And 5«t, that face!" 

*' Raymond I" cried the wnman, in hysterical accents, « thon art not decdred ; 
it is the guUty, hot pcoilent Marian, who kneels before thee; once the pos- 
sessor of thine heart i^iSky wretched, distracted tM/et" 

W{fet" SCI earned Emnestine, and she sank senseless on theparementoft&e 
chapeL 

Langaage must fall to do adequate justice to the ftellngs of astonithmeot that 
filled the minds of every one present, espechdly LAdy Celestln^, her daughter, and 
the frieddtt of otr heroine ;— they gazed at the careworn, but stIU handsome 
bdog who yet knelt at tbe feet of Lord Raymond, and clasped his knees, an4 
awaited to hear his answer; but he seemed to be turned to stone, and gazing 
? ntaiitl y npon the wonran before him, and who had annoanced berfcff by so 
tender a tMe, he was fbr some HaM inaapaMe of ottering a syllable. 

''WMBl-^fe!" he at length artlcuteted, wiklly;— "bat no— no--<t cannot 
he-»it is mockery all $— yon are but a spirit, and— and— wife *— Emnestine la 
now my beauteous bride ; and -— " 

**She is pour dmighter ! -^ Mj chUd ! — Yours !" cried Marian, in a toice 
which made the place re^^echo again ! ** Nay, spam me not from tfaee!^lt Is 
Mariaq^ thai kneds before thee. EranetHne De Laey, as she has hitherto been 
caHed, iJ^tMne oim danafater !" 

liady Cekstlne no sooner heard the words that Marian gave utterance la, Htfm 
he screamed, and immedlatly fainted, and together with BraneaHne was aha«% 
being oonreyed away from the ehapel, when Marian started to lier fM^ aad 
rashfaig between the persoas who were ahovt to bear them awSy, slie as-^ 
eHtaed^ 

«*H<M! a Mother cWnM tbe righttn enfold her long artraaged ehfld ao her 
bosom, and to implore the fbfgireness of Heaven for having dbaadaned bar In her 
nf ancy l" 

<< WnoMui, far the hnvnofHanven litest thon, indeed, speak the tralh r* -dn* 
imatoded Sir Egbert 



9HB ROBBBB's FOVNPLIKO. 277 

**BefttfetlMMicBMlataroftiMMMl H]g|i,lni(srldor f Wwily >MPrMtd 
M«ti«Bt^«'Let Uqi4 BtyMMiaaif Uif hocul" 

'<She •pnOui tine trvU^r gromed Lofd B^fMOod. <<Griit€M! thy ways 
•rcivoiidciliil!" 

"Uj cbUdl my chUdr cseUOiMd M«fin, dMptaff ow lioofaie ^aatlnlly 
to h«r boM»ai» aad kWag her pate chteks mptuowly^ white tord fUyaMmd, 
with cteipedhaBd«,Aiidapni0edeyBft> iM Wt d comptetdy pMiltecd tothaqpot. 
The pnaoiif preieiii had all ioched afoondt and the cxpffcaiteiiof attoabhaaeiii 
with wUch they gaaod apoa the liBarfcahte p<e«|i» foraMd a aceoeof the moit 
cjttraoi;diBaiy dctcitiKlOB* -^ 

]SmaeatiiMe now atewiy ncofeic4» m4 ofenlag het ^yei» and passteg her 
deUcate luuads acroas her tempks, ahe gazed wildly and vaoaotly aronnd her. 
She found hendf clatped in the ansa of Lard Ra y end, who UU Matched her 
fronithe enknoeof Marian, and waa weeping teart of wilogtod anguish and ez* 
tacy upon her. 

** Where am I ?** she exctebned, in deUrkmi aocenH ; ' * what place is this, and 
for w^t holy ceremony has it been deooraled ?— Ah !— 1 see now !-^Tbe whole 
dreadfoi tnith iashea npon my brain '.—Raymond, deedvtr!— Hb^wife!— Ob, 
God!" 

** My child ! my child !'* e}sottkted Lord Raymond, dasping her more for* 
rently tlian before to his Imsom ; '* oh, look up^— «peak to me ; it Is thy father 
who enfolds thee to his heart !" 

Emnestfane looked at him, and then at Marian, wildly, for a moment, and then 
QtteHng an hysterical tengfa, she once aMwe ftdnted In the arms of Lord Raymond 
St. Aswalph. He motleoed to some of the attendants, for he could not speak, 
and they bore her and the Lady Celestine from the chapel to their own 



While this was passing, Marian, whom the reader mnit recegaize as Lady 
St. Aswolph, was standing with cla<ped lumds, and her eyet raised towarda 
Hearen, wHh an ezpresdon of coontenance in whieh awe, asisery, and Joy were 
blended, and the deepest atientUm and Interest of every one was directed towards 
her. Snddenly, however, she started, and once more throwing herself at the 
feet of Lord Raymond, she looked imploringly up in his coontenanoe, as she 
exclaimed i— 

« Rayasond !-4ord— hnsbend, Ifsodi I may be still permitted to caU thee ; oh, 
wUlthennot pardon thy gnllly, b«t repentant wife, and saBsr her, eie di^ dies, 
to be again enfolded to that heart, where once she reigned sv|iremr?>^nnte the 
laatreqwst she will ever mahe to thee; grant herthen that, and she it prepared 
toflsakeher peaee with Qod, and Ael'* 

Lord Raymond looked at her for a Moment, as If he woiM pencHate to her 
very seal : the foB thte of aleetton then mahed once more throngh Ms tehia, 
and flashed from Ms eyes ; and, with an exdamatton of rapture and astonlah- 
BMSt, he tlwew Ms ams mmmd her, and praaeed her to Us beait, and wept vpon 

her boae* IBie a eUM. 

" TUdtress !** shouted a lood voice at that moment, which startled every pet- 
son present. Marten citriealedhenalfhaatllyfraM the enihraee of heihitsbnid, 
as the well-known tone vibrated in her ears, and had no sooner dotte ao, than 



818 UMiNBAnnu vb i«mpv; qiI| 



Che vUered » pitrcteg thrick qf ■jMiUMi^idi^ Mttfcg»wiHifciPowMHithe 
iU« fimnaouBowy into tht an» fecv wUili A* IwA miyl fce 
wMMUwmJMMdC 

«Ml^l who iMilidoMtbb Moody dii«?'»»Wkae to tiM 
Ifttcd icToral penoosy lookki§ Moood 

«' He h teor ttfUid *0Mne 
4kudj, from bckind oaoof tboJMgt pillaiolhi^ iiippMUi tko loftf i^w, 
ii^ JUad, appovoi tbo apuriow Oicy Mtt, 
■KNMlV poMi^aod iMlhdl M41f lno Urn mt^ ol 

iD«»er I iNH lUt eowl im dowv. Mid no oo^ooold bikaW Uo kmmm. Wo 
iMpi«AalniiBgof«M,«d Hm 





«* fiM hoibdteeiTCd M, «Bd loMod m of Wf 
loogfMitiBg to nhUfa/VBoortooe* tiioiiiio wtmk i *••— Imt tat H 
Bfi o o d St Aswolph, thy mortd foe staads beftire Hmo }-Mbc tisi ka* 
anivcd when tWoocid tina kaaftbcca lo iiaiioai •ohao^roMI 
iotbpe. Mtnaa hath loM tiMO tiM tm*» aHbaaiJb bar ]lp» 
opakea It, aadi oa^ piiiHil bar Hie apoa laaiMw that iha dhl 
iMnd^ or mako thoe ac^aaiatcd that the wai ttia liflag. Thatilfl,to 

hait baoa aaiftod, la thhwawa ilai^g^ the cMM nhoai I iwd nm the 
Id caouaitted to the can of BabOKt CleariMB. Ioo«ld 
gratified ny reveage hy oierttehig her Itte aad thbm^ hai I had 
plaa, wlndi joa dylag wMaaa« adio eealrtved Mit 
im» haih thwactad^Btenal canee Hfhtapaa her aaal ior lil^ had 
to sahethee gaily of hwei«» lad after a fnr dt^ata havciaanlad to 
Oiaethe whola of the ftetiaithoa hart heard them aow, and left thee la all the 
horroTi of maorse aad aaapeakaUe agoay, which raeh koowledge moel ham Im- 
parled tothce. Bat I am>ikd, aad that by— ** 

^'Moniterriaternipted Lord RayaMMidiwho^aewdiai the other laa»Wiiale, 
eeemtdj ai it weie,ipett-boaadto the spot oa which they were Blaadiag,aad 
were a aa bl i taamoc or tooierto aelae the m yiHri eoa Mma> 

*'H99^ Ihoa nmyertipare tby oompthaeata,'* replied the appareoi amak, with 
the ataMNt coolncm, ** I heed hem aot* Hum bait fre% a ea t| y d tama d rd to 
kaow who I an.— Behold !** 

He tore awiqp bU moaki«h garb at be apokoy aad la the aitonMbmiat oloiwrry 
peraoog the While Kalght ttoad befaae tbeai. A aJmaHiaeena wriamatioa of 
aarprtoeeaeaped ibem achea they raw hha» aad Lord Raymiad aow diwuicrad 
that the aanaiaes be bad aU aloag eatertaiaed^ that the myamleai aMak aad 
the White Kaigbt were ooe aad the taaie iadhridaal, were oaaftnaed. 

<<Tboa bait yet to know farther of aie," e}acalated the hatgh^aadniilag 
hia viior, the weU-kaowa feataiei of OaaMad> the jrobbcT'^ief* who had 
aappoaod to have perlahod in the coaflagratloB oftheCaatk ofSkAlwya, 
^Badoted to theau He alood lor a ailoate or lma» aad appeared to e^foy the 
aatoalflbaieot tbey experienced ; then advandag closer to Lord Bajmwad, he 
to^k off Ma caaqae, remofod the dark wig, aad large iUae whUsora, that bad 
hllheito lervad to dkgri<» li^ m^ Sl.Aawolph itaggarad back wMi amase- 
meal do p io l ad la bla co n n t taawge , aad lo a hollow votoe exchdaNd >- 



iwSi'9mmmhrtm. tf9 



^*n— i tiiMPWl IH>Liii1Wi<retr 

«<Yff»lMi««C li^iiiir illiiBii,nfc»-hB<i»ateiif' 
nMff-oldcri-^^he WMie U%lil, «ii tteOregr Friar/' tidd L«4 lMMk«t{ «t 
aitt te inm9i0»mm tlM« altleil ikai nMdi iep ii i fi mc of iMtaiie, Amm; nd 



Titftiw<r M MW M t i Ltid lifUB^ , **llw»%x>i««n Mk^MMd I 



«4 



At Ut4 E^el fic d tyolie, tieiM i J uif i R w toUi m <^ggBr from Mt tea, m1 

b«i ftt tlM» lOMt, Wf b«Di natvreiled by two or tlirae of ibt pctoopo 

ki pliui, ■liijo Lmil nofiifl iJiLiiiiid, 
^ •»» ifciii T TM mmm tOOM of Ite ch— i%cw of 'fto ctBde, ao4 Iwo^ 




HioholedtSl* Atw^i^i f IMciK mOf I o>|f^ 
bmI olfO|[Bo*^^ *" ^OR « vo ^voi( drnoo nooi Ao diopol aH# 
i^cnOc^aadoooteed in the noftfa tower; the tw i n tmato tlmriM 

^■■oaAofco iwiiToeeioii» w l ite ^ lio v f ouooo ood to be owrtri. 
. TlnfeHi w^i^MidbeeM taf>iled to fomfce Of *e tetiVHies «n the 
«£ the noptitla of Lord Royiiiood and Er imoitfoc , bow ^p c we d» 
JwwiktoMd «■* oelifliiboi «t tbe ilogdar eveoti tittt lied eo nnrx^eeiii^ 
I, ottd wore M^cAy to eerve tbeii to talk lAoot for -sooe timo Iocohm. - 



cflAFTea XXVII. 



'* Womao, that ^r and foad dccfiiTcr, 
How prompt are »tripllo|[8 to hcHeve her ; 
How throbs tbe pal^e, wbtn fi«st we view 
Tbe e^ that rolla in glossy Moe, 
Or «]Mirlclrt bl«d(, or nildly tbrowt 
A bans fron aadcr bosel brows« 
ti«w quick we credHt^every oatb. 
And bear h«rpligbt tbe wUlisf troth; 
Fondly we hope 'twill last fur aye» 
Whetij Id ! she changes in a day. 
This record will for ever stand, 
' Wonao, ^y TOWS are traeed in sand.* "^Bvron. 

WxwiU. aow piooeed tocsplatlD those iii)8terka wbich tbe reader bas, no 
doabt, been, loaf axouooi to have sotved^ and which win bring this evcntfdl 

narrative to a close. 






960 BANNssriirs ns lOArr; OB, 

1m the ctrly part of this ttory^wc itatad ^tt Lord Rayoniau 
altlH>i^ uamarrtody was about forty. j€ar| ol af^iM%t*f the 
aad only lUnriirlBg ion of the Earl aad Go«|^$rjiMPolph. VW 
tioocd that he had been abroad from a fontii, «i4 ^mUM Ut rotnn «i J^PJMid, 
Im was oppressed with a deep melaDdioly» which his mother. and dstir^jjphUjr 
endeavoured to ascertain the cause of. Iji^rd Bayniood*n«ver heSort 
•ccrets from his mother ; bat in this one instance, lie Imew that he hi 
insprodently, and, althoogh he dreaded not to cpconnter* lier 
was fearful of causing her some onhappiaca8> and was, therc|bre» 
Iteep the secret of his grief locked within his own bosofa. 

It was daring the time that he was in Ffance, anA when Liord Mjjteid 
was a very yonng man, that he became aoqnainted widi Loud EcheMlBna- 
Aubrey, who was about the same age as himself, and in many traitp of hmM^ 
position, beiog like him, they contracted a friendship for one ano^er. 

Lord Ethelred's real character was, however, oooipoaed of inooni 
he was brare and generous, bat passionate, and frequently obstlnatdy djjifeed 
to conviction. He was ardent in bb friendship, but once dtaded, lie waMpoet 
im|daeable enemy $ and the cool, persevering, and ddlbetate i&anner in wi«k he 
would seek the gratification of his revenge, has been shown by ,tiw 0f|«us* 
stances recorded in tliis narrative. 4*4^- 

His Either, the Earl Fitz-Aabrey, who al Uiat time was living, rnTiuiti|ilTi' 
inconsistencies and eoeenlricities of his jmo's diapoeition, one of wMdi was ex- 
emplified in a most nnreasonabla and tyramrical manner by the arrangement he 
nuuie for his son's future settiement. 

The Enri Fitz- Aubrey, in early Hfie, bad contracted a very warm friendship hn 
Sir Artber de Covington, who, marrying yonng, was left a widower, with an 
only daughter. As a proof of his friendship towards him, the Earl Fitz- Aubrey 
contracted a marriage between their two children, the young Lord Ethelred, and 
Marian de Covington ; and, in erder that tills contract should be fulfilled when 
they should arrive at years of maturity, tlie earl, in a fit of madeess,— forjt could 
have been nothing else which could have induced him to come to such an anjost 
and cruel determinatloD,— ordered in his will, that if Marian should marry any 
other man, the whole of his (the earl's) fortune and estates should go to hia 
nephew, and that Ethelred should be left without a single coin. 

3ir Arthur was covetous enough to accede to this arrangement ; and as the 
children grew older, they saw no reason to think that It would be a matter of 
regret to either of them, for being brought up together, as brother and sister, 
they early imbibed an affectiou for each other, and when they were madeac* 
quainted with the contract, so far from expressing any disapprobation of it, they 
evinced the greatest pleasure at it, and were anxious for the period to arrive 
when their fates would be united. 

Marian was a lovely girl, and as she increased in years, her mind became well 
stored with various accomplishments, but she possessed many intrinsic ble- 
mishes, that afterwards most unfortunately displayed themselves. . 

At the age of fifteen. Sir Arthur thought it weald be better that they should 
be separated for a few years, in order that they might the better pursue their 



THE BOBBSB'S rOU MDLtNO. 



■Mdle*, Ud mccofdinilx, Martto wh Mnt to Frvsct, iid flmeti nndu ihe care 
«f A fMBsla rdatifc, wlw bcfakTCd to h«r wlUi the hlDdnm of m BOtber. 

Lord Btholrcd IimI dm bebeM Mubo br More Iban four fMn, wIicd Mr Ar- 
thw WM tttca iDddcBl]) 111, mnd <M In ■ feir bonn, aad It wh OKrcod kctWMB 
tbe ml Md bis MP, tbit Uie btter ibosJd go over to Fnatt with the ■uliii 
chelj Inttlllgnict t« Harlaa, ud to lOTlte bcr to Engtud to like op her tntore 
mldenee U the cattle, and under the prMcctlon ot the earl. 

Lord Ediclred illii thti, and oDca mote beheld bii betrothed, «bo bed iraw 
grow* iolo ill tbe fUll loreUneM of woman, aid reedred Un Id a HaaMr 
irtlob coarlnced him thai ber Kodmenti were naiAangBd. 

Lord Ethelted retolTed to tiaj a few moDib) Id France, happy in the Eodeij 
of Ui lonr, aod ll wai there, aod at Ihu period, that Lord RajDond aod 
bin dnt became aainiinled with eadi odier, and Lord Etbeliad intiodnced him 
to Om beaowon* Marian.— Fabl Iptroduetlon :_ Uitle did thejr ImagiDe the con- 
miwie» Ibat wopld tnali from it. Loid Raymond and Marias no looner be- 
held each other than the; lored, and with all Ihe p*iik>D*le. ardour wblcb two 
warn and (uiteptible taearti are capible of lorlog. 

At latiKtb a drcaiB«taoce tooit place wfalch hronghl about an ezptenadoB of 
aflUii tooDer than wo«Id othcrwiie perbapi hate bappentd. Lord Ethelred 
reedred Intdllgence from EnglaDd of the dangerou illDeu uf bit btber, wbo 
wai Bol eipecttd to live, sod it, iberelore , beeime orctuttY that he iboiild 
immediately depart iblthet. Mid tbe time of bit rMarn woald, of couiie, be 



Same wteki clapied, aod allbough Lord Raymond would rain bare kept awaj 
trom ifae place where Mirian resided, she was a nugnet wboie aitrartion he 
No. 36 



i6i BRNNSSTINE DB LACTT ; OB, 



cDold Dot sfoid. 8Mvi«irtetteiwvdidtt iHf Ifte iHtfuil imotmmtm^tif 
iwd fecttwA jiliiiiffi iiiiiiiniiii tftt ■! iUfciiiii >i Irt ii wJliiiinlilj Jattlfta^ 

gti«&ad r«ed«eAlMfl||HM*«|«R !!• g^jJ-Hli <min|' wmio «iore» >rii 4i^ 
tii«oppiirfMii»F «f MivMiHr A«t tbelMlr «M ft wy oiM ««•» mid fitticlraa 
4iclftdt«» aMdi^ai uiMUlWii iwy Hftwatiift H ww MMlf ke *o«i* nlwm fo 



did MarlMi ham m\imMg §mm M*; htafce iiftd mom >wii» #fttfi»ly l<ilaW r 
«pott die niljtor^M Sa|aMftd«tM^tailMr«dHlellka«|hliL 

Oaedif i>ifl» LMHiBijMiii piid s vhk t» Umim, tkm mnUim mUkm^ 

tefftrt toliM. Umttm «emd flaaiwi whfc lttdig«ftiwi»%ai •Hit Uierfc ^niPia 
«iiilitar tipiwiJm !■ htr plerdftf cyef» mkUk ai»wed pliMjr Hat di^ frfifm 

nuiwianp t Bi i i wfc iftllMai«cbafae tod ta im Um i irt«#e. 8lw preittttdMki 
with « tMefy «lidl «ke MfM«M im wmM rmwA^m^tkeam Mid«MalH4ia» 
ciiuft te Bim e imi wl| i^ttgfcgdid im^ «pp ainMljf awnt aft»ip«i»iitt wfcittiiMl 

Tbt iHtgf ywM '^^ i ••<■■« iwail<«id l ii rti i d «ftftd wi g cgftafaOya&C^twi^ 

4p<iraordtB»ry d«scHpllMi. Il stated tiiat, owing to «n mlleraikm iti bis Msti* 
— ^Miidy sud 1 dMcMtti ftfMiigesnnc wliUi Ins iMe firtb^ had imdc i^fclt vill!^ 
lie bMl itM»gh» fmofrr l^ t t hi a n Iwr teai tlw «o«t ^lie Iwd atd^t^ hiffw laii 
tftftt heti irfi f w ftt dr tf'tlwiy ili Hi l d ftM«>» ii awm— ty be4M Wmidi> Lot4JUr- 
«Md «Mi* «M» l«Mr mUk il>fiii>h«c»f» aarf did not iMMder (ImH MwitA 
■iMili «B|Mf •» to ■■di ift<|pniiBti> it WM 4lic foemiiBer to ail tfce iwlfftiilmin 
tt^ww irftff o a idi dtt t l i d f — <ef |^. L(ifilfitliclf6dlMMteg«faitib«ttlE«ft«flrilN» 
laliaiaqr IMm^t faeta« tia rfioa that lio ahoold uai imy Ufi addcygiatiia rtpa 
4Mr Mttft «Hw bad^ca^tMwd Ikit boat, aoid li«t (bcMloar^ ctadidl^ iwii a rfg d i^ 
arfodto llaiteBv.and-viih ilic a t ma a w aA -•f the lady aader wboae ppotrctiii^ alie 
^Wtf- UyiPg, Uwy beaain ariwaaif dpril lopew ; a«id»kd as by the iiafctuaid|r«f 
Ilia yataioft^ ha aawle ilw iaa Ida «»tla> . . 

When they had hcea naaried ahaat m moBtfaf^ LomI Ragraiond's doliat labia 
Iriaf ctUad- bha »aay, aad Ihay part«d aiost affoctioaaadf , he kartiif Madauaffc 
liinTlmr iinii'iiadi UeiNMiihaaM toaia tiiutft bat >idae liMa«bMkiWiaieiiia|id 
tefroTy whta* oa naarainf Iw att, he fiHwd that Mariaa itad daMifiTcdji^aaaa 
a!ler her CarahaiaMot, «M»lug her iultat ^dtU har, and wHbont leariog «hf leaat 
idtrH ot whitlier she was gone, or lier rranMii) inr tiich tictjaotdifiary mwi ^ mt 
Too aaoBy . htitrcaerr waa the aofunuaate Lacd BaysMod auuk M(|aaitiaed 
ailtfcthefiitBltrat^ Marlaahad left a Wvler behind for bMi« aadoa hrealdaa 
abe hcai, and h«ittlly flaactaf at the oootenttrbe §voaaad akatd, aodJuaaieaaea 
laiaiadiatetr hifi hha. 

Fearful that bar bw h b aad waald diacmer her guilty foodact» aaddreadia^ap 
^MonoierMs ii»d^gQatloo, abe had flei, inibrinug him that It mm her iiilt^tbwi 
a* barybenwU fia a e aa w aat Ur tbe raaMdadar of her dayi, locaftbtt ytish her 
^fefld, aad that be maal jkycv bapa to bear of, or see either of tbam i^p. 



tmioB with bcr iJioold nerer take yUct, m in the erent of 4t)^ t^lk't^fffumit 

lH..,^4^red« and to ponfiu ^Hn to a p)j|ce.jof iffoultCK wtU «bf .ntvOd k»|v^ 
^i1^«}Vi9, vid.akio!^ hare Ikroooie the nilr «( L^ mHU>9(L . 3);^i|^ w^ 
^f^wMtfi^ ibM tbe Umr |rarparti«f lo Mine Irwa JUwfl ^tMrc^*- ^^ ^^ 
iofg^ by htr, withy of oo«ne» tbe same object In liew. 

Wk9fi \M thit m$it ofiilnnltti» aii4ap|^Mii<m»«lie lua^d Idpw Mi^ c^Uulre, of 
WigtmAp wboM wfi JMve Mire niefttiQiiid«,ttel ibglittfy.haAiiffjQmwl bit.f««a||(^ 
and bad been to hiv, iiditn^apom kara4i^ wJial had tatow iia<r» >)» bi^.bfopn^, 
QMBplinollJdtofncted. and lovcd the moit teplte.fnnfBnr afatoH I^ord jUy^ 
nand; .«hiMn Jm betefodte JyMraactodaa bate«ad limbuwWiA fprt^omffda 
Idm^and la have bnn Um caaie of liis aelBiBi in Bogte4» in airier tbf^4tfr 
BighitlM beUcroKcatoMinafiulanaidaaa. h, 

-WfaeBtkc wraleked Marian beard thia» learlagia aanfwntfr IIm iMKnctt,«^ 
B t hOi a dy and aeeinf na diaaca bnt tha>^l«aiti UMftmmi mnit biooine M««Mota4 
iMk aM the paHkiiaii of baryilte, ai are bare bdaie liatfd* ilie fled «rUii b^ 
clilld,and nuda her wayto Bngland» rcsolring to maiie aU the iHnemut .ri|» 
mMr and 10 live Car the re«alader of her dqr* in ndatina. Sba -diagniaed 
bawa l f, aad for toaw time veaided in an aba c n ra rttrcat».baftat iMgtli her ponej 

lh» Mtiar apbnMnit o< a fdikf oaaadeMar ate l am l i Bd ,la li aa ii e lieriiif 
favHia Mac af^har daya l» a aaaaanty and tiMa-ilMldMtn^^lM 4Bklad Um 
nana -rnhm abainiddwait, wHh lw-drfy,<atiah,Jnn ■■■antatf daipiitloa^ 
#M ted Aaleiwinad la tenw at tte anaila af St^^bnaalalittf villi a nnlty MHiac 
who ahe waa, aad eanaigalBg ber t» tlie>cBae-al iHr^dMteraad Ma aeMona- 
WHt eonrage^boamrertMladlHry andiftaaaaaMaftofandnaaiateJalikaKioibn 
Ibrcatwbere ate waa aftewarda iaaad by ffthaJmi^ lte& teoMaaai OipMHMl Ite 
Avtiger. Sba then nuide Imt way lo dM aaaraat naaatajy whca ate aeaa ad» 
■Itlid, and paiacd many ycara In aorrow and paniiaBac^ an|»cteed freaUy hf 
tte nnoertaln fate of ber child. She waa aoatewtet caoaoM^ tewvfer, by bear* 
ing ttet her bnibaad waa allTe. and liad aatayed tte fa na e a nc a ol Sthdrcd, 
laho had not been heard of since he left the caade af hla tieaciMroaa relallre» 
accompanied only by bb ftdthfol aClandant, Unga. Tte coarae panned hy fithal* 
red, has already been rdated, and it now only remalna to te eaplalncd by wliat 
cxtraordlbary means Marfan^ after the lapse af ao ttiany yeara, igain fisU into 
Ml power. 

After his escape from fte barnlug Hilns of tte OMte* oT 91* 'AHryoy Ite rob-' 
bfr-ehief mired to aootter pirl af iie ooa0try» fHKta te MB vaarlated Ida 
acheme of rengeaoee agtfnat Lord Raymond^ and aaaated thoae parts in tte 
dn nnttea aTite While Knight, aad tte Grey Friar, thai tev« baea laaa —l a d . 
Tte uaaaa tt In whldi Ite cidlif Marian was aacladad. teaaaacd 'ta *te sHoated 
oMaa hy, aad one nifbl. It teiag aecidentaB)r dcMM^ad ^/j^ #m^ Maitei aiada 
tet aaanpe fkaai tte ianea, and mhrac ni oaa iy en uwi Ma d B Hal aad , wte baaa 
bar away ftan tte ayot to bb ictreat, wbait te^vha bilf InUhMd la aacilfina^ter 



St4 ERN>7B8TINB BE LACT ; OR^ 

iflMKdHtaly to ^ymigtuktf bwn seednd ttMiglil irfMcd lito IUMtf> nd ke 

•pQmed her, detenniiied to make her sobtervieot to his fatnre ichemt ijriart 

her liMbMd, tMiMffa ahe «mfeiM4 the whole vt Che gtiOty|iloiiif4riileiidl* 

ha4 bieu Hit anlboress, ana eotiieli aot«itted. Lord RiyMwid of hairlig tiM 

reaioieifriharela Us h«t he wooM Ml beUtve her, and felt a pleasare U ler* 

luring her hgr InCoraiiag^r of the czisteoceol her daughter, aod of the abe»i-\ 

aide seheme of TengeaBoe he had determloed upon^ For better tecarity hit r»* 

moved her to the miaa of the Castle of St. Alwyo, aod retired there hlmsell. 

There he forced her to aisame the dlsgaUe she did, aad inrented those s(S|fr- 

■atnral ai^iearaDces, thai sacceeded so well lo fnghteniog away any iQlrodert 

■poo his retreat. On the night, however, before the union of Lord Raymond 

tad Eranestine was to have talsen place, she managed to escape, and determined 

to make her way to St. Aswolph Castle, and reveal everything ; but she fost 

hersetf In the forest, and wandered about until the morning, when she made 

her way to St. Aswolph with all the precipitation' she could, but was nnabft'to 

reach it until after the'ceremony had taken place. What followed has been shown. 

It may appear necenary to state, that th^ Knight of the Burning Heart, as he 

was called, was only an accomplice of Ethelred's, employed to furfber his evil 

deslgof^ and to Increase the perpleinog mystery In which his acdotis were 
shrouded. 

CONCLUSION* 

With what unspeaktblt rapture did our heroine feel herself clasped to the 
heart of her father |— with what transport did Lady Celestlat aod her daughter 
taibract so dear and near a relation !— and how unbounded vraa their gratitude 
for the miraculous manner la which the disclosures were brought about, and 
liOrd Raymond and hit daughter saved from a fkte which it was too dreadfbl 
to think upon!— We most draw a veil over the scene ! 

The unfertunate and misguided Lady Marian died before the morning, after 
embracing her daughter and her husband, and receiving tn assurance of for- 
giTeaess firom their lips, and many were the tears of commiieration that were 
abed at her melancholy fate. Her errors were forgotten in the tomb, aad 
prayers to Heattn for the pardon of the Almighty, were frequently offered by 
those to whom her guilt had lieen productive of so many miseries. 
* Two hours after Ethtlred had been conveyed to the place of oonfintmeat, 
by the orders of Lord Raymond, two of the vassals of the latter who had the 
cart of him, tattrtd the room, where they found him stretched upon the floor, 
a stiffened, blackened oorpse. Ceitain of the fate which weald h9 awarded to 
him,he had taken a tuhtSt poitua whieh he had had eoacealed abtnt him fisr 

another parpote, aad thua tenalnated hit guilty career. 

♦ a . ♦ ♦ • 

Several modtht had elapse^ since thete evtats had taken plact, aad tht 
difltraat actors la the drama were almost tatirtly restored to traaqafWIf* 
tar htrtiHtttpMhitiy happy la tht leve of bar dearvtMltMt, aadihait fHtaii 
wht htf0 bet* Imr p r tl ecl t it % wbta oae day, a Lord BayaMMid mi Mt 
dauglrt»r*ivtrt itaiti fci thd ma efca mfctt, » ptyt laadt Hi a|ipMnaee,'«M 






Oli lMi^«itnuice, bit btok was tamed' t4imr6t lh«B. Iibi'ftftat<»>^i«ktdi 
wM'eM iB m iplMdU fait 'of auU, wmuAm» gr&t^mh Oa kectfc^ flteUr 
sMta^fal ibe iq^aitHMa^ be taiMl feaiCdy rwfead, antt Hi^f tlua f«srialteirftat 
Ui "^liar WM dewa. Braaeitioe traaAM. The next taeaiMr'M talgki nfpi; 
/proAdM, aad ^bt one kaee te ^ floor before Lerd*IU>dbii« luid bif 
daufblOf z^ 

'«itf 1ord«— fbir tady Braaettloe/* tie latd, ^ an bumble lappllcaiit craves 
your pardea, aad — •* 

^*6eoA dodf tbat Tolce T ejaculated our berolae» clinging for support to 
ber fctfcer ;— " It (• " 

^'Huitof one who once was dear to thee» ladj,** replied the knight* and 
raising his vUor as be spoke, Emaestine screamed, and foil insensible in the 
anas of ber father. — It was Godfrsy de Laoy ! 

'* Oby my lord,** he cried, la a Toice of the greatest emotion |~^* tee to thy 
loToiy daughter ;— the shock has been too great for ber !" 

<* Godfrey de Lacy* aad alive ?" oaclabned Lord Raymond with the most lo- 
describable astonishment. 

" Yes, n^ lord ; it is indeed true i bat oh, say, caast thoa forglre me for—*' 

*'Ko more, oomore!** interrupted Lord Raymond, seizing hb Imnd; — "thou 
art forglfen, and I hail with delight the miraculous circumstance which has 
restored thee to thy friends.*' 

Emnestine on her fecovery found herself clasped in the arms of that lover 
wbontshe had belioTed to have been long since no more ! He had achieved 
glory in the field of battle ! — Had been honoured and rewarded by his 
sovereign with title, nnk, and wealth ! aad, after having been taken prisoner, 
and endured a loag and paiaful captivity, had retufned to his native country 
admired by all who knew him ! 



We have little more to add ia coadoilon :— the sentiments of Sir Godfrey 
as was now hb title, aad Lady Emaestine were uncbaagedt^SAd Lord Ray- 
mono having cordially givea hb assent, the anion of the lovers was solemnised 
with mach pomp three months after the return of Sir Godfrey to England. On 
the mendag of the anion another sarprlse of a most agreeable nature awaited 
them. Osric aad Blanche, who bad escaped from the flames which destrojred 
the Castle of St Alwyn, made their appearaace at the casUe. l^ie foiber of the 
former was dead, and stung with remorse, 4ie had repented of hU crimes, aad 
made a fall coafessioaof all hb gailty fraasactioa^ aad the/ were restarad to 
raak aad fortnae. 

Tosar <^t ovary Imyplasss altondad all the JLadivldaab that bavo ^peafed 
la tWi assratlve, may saffioe ia coBclasloa;-rSfr Godfrey de Lao^ aad Emmas- 
tiBahadaaamerousfbrnilyvaad Lfr4 Bag wend .Bred long eaaajh toseatha 



9i6 . BRK|iiUIUNS* im Uk/CYw 

^iM gwklcUUreo ptHMtci »U tkm Tif tii«i of their pareBlt^ nid m^n hdmx^d 
mmi esteemed by all who kaew them. 

{july p^kitlpp porTJf e^ieveral ^eact after tbeie e^enia^ and thtn died at i^ 
^mi livedo wllh Ihe bletaiafii and prayers of thope |o wboai 'she had «^r b^ea 
gQ iMiertiu a boMfactor ; aod her muMroos virtue* lived in the meaiory of 
SMy a gratefal beiag. 

3ir Bcbcrt and. Lady de Courcy enjoyed a lonj^ life of mdntermpled hap* 
piseie, nrroiiBded by a virtuous fionnily. 

Poor old Hubert Cleaiham and his vvife lived }mi a short lim% after Hm 
circumstaocea we have recently been recording, aod the venerable con|ple 
were d^^poiited in the tsmily vault of St. Aswolph, at the reguesi ef iindy 
£ranetdne, and their many amiable qnalities and the care and aflectien with 
whieh they had attended the poor foundling* 'were cherished in the mcmeey of 
car heroine and all thoae lo dear to her, as long as they lived, with feelings of 
unbennded gratitude. 

The parents of Sir Godfrey de Lmej resided with them Car 'oMiny yenrt at 
the CasUe of St. Aswolph, and were suriouoded by every comfbrt and ei^oy- 
■leat that wealth and virtue could bestow. ' 



• THE END. 



/ 



X«.<<o»ii I FabUtbed te £■ LLOYD, at the Office of "The Fennr Siuidtj TlBa.," >J 

Ml, ShotwStch. .V 



JUN 1 1965